Karim Benzema is reportedly the latest star, who appears to be fed up with the Saudi Pro League and wants to leave.
Reports indicate that Benzema has requested that he “temporarily” leave Al Ittihad because he allegedly feels pressured at the club.
On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, Karim Benzema appears to still be exiled from the squad of the Jeddah-based club.
The Frenchman is training alone while his teammates intensify preparation ahead of the resumption of the second stanza of league matches.
Benzema was reportedly forced to train alone, having returned from holiday 17 days past the actual resumption date.
Based on RMC Sport, Al Ittihad have since offered Karim Benzema the opportunity of joining another Saudi Arabian club, but the former Real Madrid man turned down the option.
Reports from the same outlet are also claiming that the striker also feels “unable to give the best of himself to Al-Ittihad” due to pressure.
It has been said that Benzema infuriated his current employers, who were expecting to see him back at the club on January 2, 2024, ahead of their mid-season training camp.
Another media outlet, France 24, was also told by a close source that Al Ittihad were unable to reach the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner for about 10 days.
Spanish media outlet, Marca, have also reported that Karim Benzema has been excluded from the club's trip to Dubai by gaffer Marcelo Gallardo.
In that light, the 36-year-old has opted to prepare on his own for the league which resumes on February 7, 2024.
Marca indicated that Benzema's lateness for resumption was a result of a cyclone that hit the island of Mauritius where he had been enjoying his mid-season holiday.
However, Al Ittihad do not want to buy the excuse, as he had previously angered the team, having missed three training sessions before the end of 2023.
Reports from France claim Karim Benzema is eyeing the prospect of a fairytale return to boyhood club Olympique Lyon before the expiration of the January transfer window.
Meanwhile, as aforementioned, Benzema looks to be the latest star who is fed up with playing in the Saudi Pro League.
Jordan Henderson exited the division to join Ajax on January 18, 2024, on a free transfer, after his contract was terminated by Al Ettifaq.
Henderson couldn't acclimatize to the Saudi Pro League due to several factors and he ultimately exited the country for a return to Europe.
Anyway, Karim Benzema has made 20 appearances for Al Ittihad, scoring 12 goals and providing 5 assists in all competitions.
He joined the Pro League club on July 1, 2023, on a free transfer after exiting Spanish giants Real Madrid.
It will be interesting to see how things unfold between him and the Jeddah-based club, as fans will be looking to see if he will mend his ties with the team or return to Europe.
Reports indicate that Benzema has requested that he “temporarily” leave Al Ittihad because he allegedly feels pressured at the club.
On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, Karim Benzema appears to still be exiled from the squad of the Jeddah-based club.
The Frenchman is training alone while his teammates intensify preparation ahead of the resumption of the second stanza of league matches.
Benzema was reportedly forced to train alone, having returned from holiday 17 days past the actual resumption date.
Based on RMC Sport, Al Ittihad have since offered Karim Benzema the opportunity of joining another Saudi Arabian club, but the former Real Madrid man turned down the option.
Reports from the same outlet are also claiming that the striker also feels “unable to give the best of himself to Al-Ittihad” due to pressure.
It has been said that Benzema infuriated his current employers, who were expecting to see him back at the club on January 2, 2024, ahead of their mid-season training camp.
Another media outlet, France 24, was also told by a close source that Al Ittihad were unable to reach the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner for about 10 days.
Spanish media outlet, Marca, have also reported that Karim Benzema has been excluded from the club's trip to Dubai by gaffer Marcelo Gallardo.
In that light, the 36-year-old has opted to prepare on his own for the league which resumes on February 7, 2024.
Marca indicated that Benzema's lateness for resumption was a result of a cyclone that hit the island of Mauritius where he had been enjoying his mid-season holiday.
However, Al Ittihad do not want to buy the excuse, as he had previously angered the team, having missed three training sessions before the end of 2023.
Reports from France claim Karim Benzema is eyeing the prospect of a fairytale return to boyhood club Olympique Lyon before the expiration of the January transfer window.
Meanwhile, as aforementioned, Benzema looks to be the latest star who is fed up with playing in the Saudi Pro League.
Jordan Henderson exited the division to join Ajax on January 18, 2024, on a free transfer, after his contract was terminated by Al Ettifaq.
Henderson couldn't acclimatize to the Saudi Pro League due to several factors and he ultimately exited the country for a return to Europe.
Anyway, Karim Benzema has made 20 appearances for Al Ittihad, scoring 12 goals and providing 5 assists in all competitions.
He joined the Pro League club on July 1, 2023, on a free transfer after exiting Spanish giants Real Madrid.
It will be interesting to see how things unfold between him and the Jeddah-based club, as fans will be looking to see if he will mend his ties with the team or return to Europe.