Karim Benzema wants to leave Al Ittihad just a year after moving from Real Madrid - Reports
French striker Karim Benzema reportedly wants to leave Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad just one year after joining the club from Real Madrid on a free transfer. According to Spanish news outlet Relevo, the Frenchman feels unsettled in the Middle East and has allegedly called his Al Ittihad tenure a 'sad adventure'.
Benzema led Real Madrid to La Liga and Champions League glory in the 2021-22 campaign, with 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 games across all competitions. The entire footballing world was shocked when he announced his move to Saudi Arabia in July 2023, just eight months after winning the 2022 Ballon d'Or.
Before Benzema's arrival, Al Ittihad had delivered an impressive 2022-23 campaign, having won the Saudi Pro League and the Saudi Super Cup. They were looking to elevate their level of play with the addition of the Frenchman, but things have gone south for Ittihad since his arrival.
Due to recurring back and muscular injuries, and a fallout with manager Nuno Espirito Santo (who has since been sacked), the 36-year-old has made just 29 appearances this season. He has looked like a shadow of his former self, with just 13 goals and eight assists to his name.
Earlier this month, Benzema returned to Real Madrid's facilities to undergo further examinations and continue his treatment for the muscular injuries. During this visit, he reportedly informed sources close to him that he was unhappy with his situation at Al Ittihad.
The Frenchman seems intent on securing a departure at the end of the season. However, his current contract lasts till 2026, which means that Al Ittihad hold the cards in terms of a potential departure.
A look at Karim Benzema's numbers from his time at Real Madrid
Karim Benzema was arguably one of the best attackers in the world during his Real Madrid tenure, with an impressive goal-scoring record to boot.
The Frenchman arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu from French giants Olympique Lyonnais for €35 million in July 2009. Although he endured a tame first season at the club, he made everyone sit up and take note from the 2010-11 season onwards.
Benzema hit the 20-goal mark for six seasons straight, before enduring a slight lean patch from 2016 to 2018. He got back to his goal-scoring best, hitting the mark once again from 2018-19 to 2022-23.
Besides being a proficient goalscorer, Benzema was an incredible playmaker throughout his Los Blancos career. He bagged eight or more assists in every single campaign except his first and last season at the club, with his best return of 21 achieved in the 2012-13 campaign.
With Real Madrid, he lifted five Champions League titles, five FIFA Club World Cups, four La Liga titles, three Copas del Rey, four UEFA Super Cups and four Supercopas de Espana. He also holds an incredible UCL goal-scoring record, having scored in 18 straight Champions League campaigns (from 2005-06 to 2022-23, tied with Lionel Messi).
In his 14 years at Real Madrid, he played 648 games, netting 354 goals and setting up his teammates 165 times. He ended up in second place on Real Madrid's all time scoring list, and his impressive tenure culminated in a 2022 Ballon d'Or victory.