Karim Benzema appears to be heading away from Al Ittihad, following the latest show of tantrums at the club.
Benzema stormed out of an Al Ittihad training session on Monday, February 5, 2024, before being subsequently excluded from the squad for their Pro League encounter against Al Taee on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
Al Ittihad defeated Al Taee 3-0 courtesy of goals from Abderrazak Hamdallah, Faisel Al-Ghamdi, and Romarinho.
Karim Benzema's absence from the clash wasn't felt and it appears he might be getting to a state of being surplus to requirement.
Al Ittihad gaffer Marcelo Gallardo had given instructions to Benzema to train alone, however, the Frenchman disregarded the order and left the training session.
On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, Benzema was snapped training at the Jeddah-based club training facilities, but only amongst injured players.
The Real Madrid legend appears to be in a frosty relationship with the club after he returned late to training from the mid-season break.
Karim Benzema was 17 days late, and his attitude has made administrators of the club “furious”, with reports indicating that he could return to boyhood club Olympique Lyon.
Reports indicated that Al Ittihad couldn't get in contact with the former France international for about 10 days, as he holidayed in Mauritius.
Subsequent reports also claimed that Benzema couldn't exit the African nation due to a cyclone.
Following his return, manager Gallardo has excluded him from the Saudi Arabian side's training camp for failing to deliver up to expectations.
Karim Benzema has held talks with Al Ittihad's hierarchy at the start of February 2024, and as aforementioned, reports have indicated that he could be closer to the exit door than imagined.
He was linked with a move to Manchester United during the January transfer window, with Chelsea also said to be interested in signing the 36-year-old.
Benzema joined The People's Club on July 1, 2023, on a free transfer, after departing Real Madrid at the end of the 2022/23 season.
The Frenchman has made 20 appearances for the Pro League champions, scoring 12 goals and providing 5 assists in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Al Ittihad has nosedived significantly this campaign, as they sit 5th on the log, with 31 points from 19 league matches.
Despite the massive signings made last summer, with Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Fabinho, and Jota joining the club, the defending champions have failed to reach the heights expected of them.
Anyway, they return to action on Thursday, February 15, 2024, facing Navbahor Namangan, in a Round of 16 Asian Champions League encounter.
Moreover, CBS Sports' Ben Jacobs, wrote on X that Benzema is having a dialogue with Al-Ittihad this week over his future plans.
He wrote: “Both Ittihad and wider Saudi dealmakers want him to do another season. There was never a green light or formal request from Benzema to leave.”
It will be interesting to see how the apparent disagreement between Benzema and Al Ittihad ends up.
Benzema stormed out of an Al Ittihad training session on Monday, February 5, 2024, before being subsequently excluded from the squad for their Pro League encounter against Al Taee on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
Al Ittihad defeated Al Taee 3-0 courtesy of goals from Abderrazak Hamdallah, Faisel Al-Ghamdi, and Romarinho.
Karim Benzema's absence from the clash wasn't felt and it appears he might be getting to a state of being surplus to requirement.
Al Ittihad gaffer Marcelo Gallardo had given instructions to Benzema to train alone, however, the Frenchman disregarded the order and left the training session.
On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, Benzema was snapped training at the Jeddah-based club training facilities, but only amongst injured players.
The Real Madrid legend appears to be in a frosty relationship with the club after he returned late to training from the mid-season break.
Karim Benzema was 17 days late, and his attitude has made administrators of the club “furious”, with reports indicating that he could return to boyhood club Olympique Lyon.
Reports indicated that Al Ittihad couldn't get in contact with the former France international for about 10 days, as he holidayed in Mauritius.
Subsequent reports also claimed that Benzema couldn't exit the African nation due to a cyclone.
Following his return, manager Gallardo has excluded him from the Saudi Arabian side's training camp for failing to deliver up to expectations.
Karim Benzema has held talks with Al Ittihad's hierarchy at the start of February 2024, and as aforementioned, reports have indicated that he could be closer to the exit door than imagined.
He was linked with a move to Manchester United during the January transfer window, with Chelsea also said to be interested in signing the 36-year-old.
Benzema joined The People's Club on July 1, 2023, on a free transfer, after departing Real Madrid at the end of the 2022/23 season.
The Frenchman has made 20 appearances for the Pro League champions, scoring 12 goals and providing 5 assists in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Al Ittihad has nosedived significantly this campaign, as they sit 5th on the log, with 31 points from 19 league matches.
Despite the massive signings made last summer, with Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Fabinho, and Jota joining the club, the defending champions have failed to reach the heights expected of them.
Anyway, they return to action on Thursday, February 15, 2024, facing Navbahor Namangan, in a Round of 16 Asian Champions League encounter.
Moreover, CBS Sports' Ben Jacobs, wrote on X that Benzema is having a dialogue with Al-Ittihad this week over his future plans.
He wrote: “Both Ittihad and wider Saudi dealmakers want him to do another season. There was never a green light or formal request from Benzema to leave.”
It will be interesting to see how the apparent disagreement between Benzema and Al Ittihad ends up.