Disappointment in the Desert: Karim Benzema Tough Spell at Al-Ittihad

Karim Benzema hasn’t held back in expressing his disappointment with his time at Al-Ittihad providing a candid response in a recent interview. The revered Real Madrid striker made the move to the Saudi Pro League side in the summer of 2023 after a highly successful 14 years stint in Spain. However, Benzema has struggled to meet expectations in the emerging Middle Eastern division, despite significant anticipation following his arrival.

Despite the addition of former Premier League stars like N’Golo Kante and Fabinho in the same transfer window, Marcelo Gallardo team finds themselves trailing league leaders Al-Hilal by 30 points. This marks a poor defense of the title they won in the previous campaign.

Benzema individual performance has also been a cause for concern. While his tally of nine goals and seven assists from 20 appearances in the Saudi Pro League is respectable for many players it falls short of the prolific scoring rates he achieved while leading the line for Los Blancos.

In a recent interview, the 36 years old addressed his struggles in his new team suggesting that the disparity in quality between his current teammates and the world-class stars he played alongside at Real Madrid is a significant factor. Benzema emphasized the need for support from his teammates, stating “I need help. I need someone to help me on the field.”

Despite the commendable goal-scoring record of his regular strike partner, Abderrazak Hamdallah who has scored 25 goals in all competitions, Benzema reiterated his call for assistance, stating, “I will not bring victory alone. I need other players and several other things.”

Given the substantial investments in the Saudi Pro League, it’s likely that reinforcements will be sought in the upcoming summer transfer window to provide Benzema with the support he seeks. Speculation surrounding his future arose when he was omitted from a match against Al-Tai earlier in the campaign.

With a contract at Al-Ittihad until 2026, Benzema may consider a return to Europe in the summer if he feels the standard of play in the Saudi Pro League falls short of his expectations as Jordan Henderson did previously. Despite his advancing age, several clubs would likely be interested in acquiring his services.

However, if Al-Ittihad manages to attract more marquee names, Benzema could potentially reconsider his stance and relish the opportunity to play alongside exceptional players once again.