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10 months ago
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Despite his discomfort at Al-Ittihad, Karim Benzema will have a hard time leaving Saudi Arabia this winter. This is a matter of principle for Saudi leaders.
The resumption of the Saudi Pro League, and it is now a safe bet that Karim Benzema will still be a player in the local championship in the coming months. The French striker is going through a difficult period: criticized by supporters and the media, the 2022 Ballon d’Or missed the resumption of training with Al-Ittihad (officially due to a cyclone which blocked him on his vacation spot), and many rumors suggest a desire to return to Europe for the former Real Madrid captain.
Another Saudi club for Benzema?
This looks complicated. On the one hand because it would be necessary to find a club which is both competitive (Benzema would be particularly tired of the low level of his Al-Ittihad team), and which has the financial means to ensure the salary of the “Nueve “. And on the other hand because the Saudi leaders do not want to hear about the Frenchman’s departure, according to L’Equipe. Some stars recruited last summer by the Saudi Pro League are already thinking about leaving, and this has already happened for Jordan Henderson. But the Benzema case has too symbolic significance, and it would be an affront for the Saudis to see him leave so quickly.
Another solution would be considered. As the Saudi championship has a special status, with four clubs controlled by the PIF (the public investment fund), it is possible that Benzema will be sent to another formation of the “Big Four”: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, the leader Al-Hilal, or even the Al-Ahli of Riyad Mahrez. These three clubs occupy the top of the ranking, while Al-Ittihad, although reigning champion, languishes in seventh place. Would Benzema accept this rapid change? To be continued…
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Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.
