French forward Karim Benzema is reportedly seeking to exit Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad after only one year, following his transfer from Real Madrid where he joined on a free transfer.
Spanish media source Relevo has reported that Benzema feels uncomfortable in the Middle East, describing his experience with Al Ittihad as a ‘disappointing journey’.
Benzema was instrumental in leading Real Madrid to victories in La Liga and the Champions League during the 2021-22 season, scoring 44 goals and providing 15 assists in 46 matches across all competitions.
His move to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 came as a surprise, especially just eight months after he received the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
Al Ittihad had enjoyed a successful 2022-23 season, securing both the Saudi Pro League and the Saudi Super Cup, and anticipated even greater success with Benzema’s addition. However, since Benzema’s arrival, the team’s fortunes have declined.
The 36-year-old striker has struggled with consistent back and muscle injuries and had a disagreement with then-manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who has since been dismissed.
Over this season, Benzema has participated in only 29 games, scoring 13 goals and assisting in eight, showing a marked decline from his peak form.
This month, Benzema visited Real Madrid’s training facilities for further tests and continued treatment for his injuries.
It was during this visit that he reportedly expressed his discontent with his current circumstances at Al Ittihad to those close to him.
During his illustrious stint at Real Madrid, Benzema was recognized as one of the world’s top attackers, with a notable goal-scoring track record. He transferred to Real Madrid from French club Olympique Lyonnais in July 2009 for €35 million.
After a quiet initial season, Benzema’s performance significantly improved from the 2010-11 season onward, consistently hitting the 20-goal mark for six consecutive seasons, except for a brief dip in form between 2016 and 2018. He returned to top form from the 2018-19 season up to 2022-23.
