SUMMARY
- Benzema ended his 14 years of journey with Real Madrid last season after choosing Saudi Arabia as his next destination.
- According to recent reports only after six months of stay in the Middle East, the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner is looking for an exit.
The news of Karim Benzema’s exclusion for Al-Ittihad’s pre-season camp in Dubai has raised speculation for his exit from the Saudi Pro League. The 36-year-old French striker is in the twilight of his career after switching clubs last season.
Benzema ended his 14 years of journey with Real Madrid last season after choosing Saudi Arabia as his next destination. However, according to recent reports only after six months of stay in the Middle East, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner is looking for an exit and has plans to return to Europe for the final years of his career.
🚨 Karim Benzema wants to leave Saudi Arabia and return to Europe already. 🔙
The French striker has quickly realised that Saudi is not a country for him and his football. ❌🇸🇦
A return to Real Madrid is ruled out. 💔
(Source: @jfelixdiaz ) pic.twitter.com/RXcLm2jLtJ
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 18, 2024
However, one thing is for certain, fans won’t be able to see the Frenchman back in Real Madrid. It is believed that the Santiago Bernabeu door is permanently closed for him. The Los Blancos have ruled out any possible return of the Frenchman. It has to do with other club legends who left and never came back.
Benzema had a fair run for Al-Ittihad over the last six months having scored a total of 15 goals and six assists. It is believed that top European clubs are exploring the possibilities to land the 36-year-old this winter.
Why did Karim Benzema leave Real Madrid
Karim Benzema’s departure from Real Madrid last season came as a shock for soccer fans worldwide. After spending an illustrious 14-year career at Santiago Bernabeu, the Frenchman decided to leave the club and try his fortune in Saudi Arabia.
However, his decision to leave the Spanish side wasn’t entirely based on his fitness concerns. Rather it had to do with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious project towards soccer and his identity.
🚨 Karim Benzema quer deixar o Al-Ittihad e voltar a jogar na Europa. Ele percebeu que aquele não é um lugar para ele e seu futebol. A porta do Real Madrid está fechada para ele, como aconteceu com as outras lendas que partiram.@jfelixdiaz pic.twitter.com/RkDYfjtIE1
— REAL MADRID DEPRE BRASIL (@RMdadepre) January 18, 2024
After joining Al-Ittihad, Benzema stated in an interview, “When the football project started here, it seemed like a huge project in all respects, and I wanted to be a part of it and help advance the game in Saudi Arabia, and this is one of the reasons that made me come here.”
“As a Muslim when you are in Mecca, you feel at peace. It is an exceptional place,” he further added.
Benzema’s career at Real Madrid leaves behind many memories, trophies, and multiple records. The Frenchman found the back of the net 354 times while wearing the iconic white jersey.
Arsenal have a strong interest in Karim Benzema
The Gunners are said to be in the queue to sign Karim Benzema in this winter transfer window in a short-term loan agreement.
Mikel Arteta’s side is well and truly in the Premier League title race with Liverpool, Manchester City, and Aston Villa. And with an aim to bolster their attack, they may fancy bringing Benzema to the Emirates.
Arsenal are considering a blockbuster loan deal for Karim Benzema, although Chelsea have also discussed a move for the player. 🇫🇷
(TEAMtalk)
Could it FINALLY happen? 👀 pic.twitter.com/OtruMk1Iwb
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) January 18, 2024
With players like Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Eddie Nketiah in the mix, the addition to Karim Benzema will certainly provide Mikel Arteta with a lot of goal-scoring options leading up to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League as well.
However, Arsenal are not the only club in the transfer race to sign the Frenchman. Chelsea and Manchester United are also exploring the possibility of signing him on a short-term loan. Both of the clubs didn’t have the best of starts this season, and goal-scoring has been one of the major concerns for them. The signing of Benzema for any of them can certainly resolve the goal-scoring crisis.