Saudi fun again and again?: Al-Ittihad throws Benzema out of the team

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Karim Benzema (36) is one of the big names who answered the call for oil money last summer. The French top striker is expected to earn around €50 million per year from Saudi champions Al-Ittihad. But no sign of Saudi Gaudi. Instead, Benzema is causing a lot of trouble on the Red Sea in Jeddah.

He skipped the start of training and was removed from the selection

Now the climax has been reached: Because the Saudi competition is on pause until the beginning of February due to the Asian Cup, Benzema has flown to Mauritius on holiday. Actually no problem. But when Al-Ittihad resumed preparations on Friday, there was no trace of the old Real star.

As “Marca” writes, Benzema did not show up at the club grounds in violation of the agreement and skipped the start of training. The Frenchman “caused great anger within the club”. Argentinian coach Marcelo Gallardo, who already has a tense relationship with Benzema, is said to have suffered from this in particular. So much so that in response he quickly kicked Benzema out of the squad and banned him from the Dubai training camp.

Meanwhile, Benzema’s side insists his absence was not intentional. But that he was stuck in Mauritius because of a cyclone. However, Al-Ittihad apparently gives little credence to this story. Probably also because it is not the first time that Benzema has caused problems.

Travel to Madrid: At the end of 2023 he will give himself a training break. According to the Saudi sports channel Al-Riyadiya, Benzema flew to Madrid without permission and missed several training sessions.

Sporting failure: From a sporting point of view, Benzema does not meet expectations at all. Al-Ittihad, reigning champions, has fallen to seventh place, 25 points behind leaders Al-Hilal. Most recently there was a 2:5 humiliation against Al-Nassr in their own stadium. And Benzema? He puts up with all this and is far from a leader befitting his status.

listlessness: Benzema stands out with his listless attitude on the field. The fans don’t like it at all, they make the superstar feel their anger. But the Frenchman is not facing the wrath of his followers; instead, he goes into hiding and promptly takes his Instagram account, which has 76 million followers, off the platform.

Does Benzema fly back to Europe?

“Benzema and the spectators are becoming further and further apart every day,” Saudi journalist Walid Al-Faraj recently explained. “So far he has failed to make a difference. And above all: he makes no effort at all.” Rumors are already circulating in the international media that Benzema is looking for a way back to Europe. PSG, Real Madrid and even Manchester United have already been linked with him.

Benzema is not the only player in Saudi Arabia flirting with a breakout. Jordan Henderson, who left Liverpool for Al-Ettifaq this summer, has also reportedly already offered himself to various teams in Europe. Maybe money isn’t everything after all. (sbe)

Source : Blick