Karim Benzema distances himself from Al-Ittihad amid contract dispute
Karim Benzema has removed himself from Al-Ittihad’s first-team squad following a contract extension proposal he reportedly views as deeply disrespectful, reports BritPanorama.
The 38-year-old French striker, whose current agreement expires this summer, declined to feature in Thursday’s Saudi Pro League fixture against Al Fateh, which concluded in a 2-2 stalemate. His absence forced Al-Ittihad to field Saleh Al-Shehri in attack, who opened the scoring in the 25th minute.
Reports suggest that the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner was presented with terms that would see him stay at the Jeddah club without receiving a traditional salary. The proposed arrangement would replace a salary with compensation solely through image rights payments, a structure Benzema has flatly rejected.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has provided further context, indicating that Benzema believes the offer contradicts assurances made upon his transfer from Real Madrid. “Benzema feels the promises coming from the club since last summer were different about a new contract,” Romano stated on his YouTube channel. The extension would have required the striker to “play for free without any extra money,” only receiving immediate payments from image rights.
The French publication L’Equipe first reported the dispute, with Benzema’s representatives deeming the offer “insulting.” The contract proposal was allegedly delivered by Michael Emenalo, Saudi Pro League’s director of football, who oversees negotiations for major foreign players at clubs owned by the Public Investment Fund.
This contract impasse arises despite Benzema’s impressive performance this season, in which he has scored 16 goals across all competitions. Al-Ittihad currently sits in sixth place in the league standings, with Benzema’s contributions helping the club secure both the league title and cup last term, where he registered 30 goal involvements in 29 league matches.
Manager Sergio Conceicao has avoided addressing the contractual dispute directly but praised Benzema’s professionalism. “You will have to ask the club about Karim Benzema. I am here to train, prepare for matches, achieve results. Everything else is outside my responsibilities,” the Portuguese coach remarked. He added, “Karim is a great professional, a fantastic player. I am proud to coach him.”
Currently, Benzema ranks as the third-highest-paid footballer globally, with annual earnings exceeding £85 million, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He is now understood to be training separately from his teammates while considering his future options.
Should negotiations remain stalled, Benzema would enter the summer transfer window as one of football’s most sought-after free agents, notably as he prepares to miss the upcoming fixture against Al-Najma, with a high-profile clash against Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr on the horizon.
In the world of football, the intersection of ambition and expectation can lead to profound implications, as Benzema’s current situation underscores the complexities that can arise off the pitch even amid a storied career.
