Former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema is considering retirement this season and will become a Real Madrid ambassador with a focus on the Middle East, according to a report.
The man who won football’s most prestigious individual award in 2022 has already agreed to represent his former club in a global role, satisfaction He added that the 36-year-old will likely stop playing when his contract with Al-Ittihad expires in 2026.
The newspaper claimed that Benzema “has not made a final decision” regarding his retirement at the end of this season, saying that he is “beginning to get tired” of the training sessions with the Saudi Professional League club, which are held in the afternoon due to the high morning temperatures in Jeddah.
When we speak we must take responsibility ☄️ #Thank God 🤲🏼🤍 pic.twitter.com/tBVu2qmiWz
– Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 6, 2024
Benzema in Saudi Arabia
After leaving Real Madrid a year before his contract expired, Benzema joined the Etihad on a three-year contract in 2023.
His first season produced 13 goals and eight assists in 29 appearances, which was low by his prolific standards, as the Etihad endured a turbulent 2023/24 campaign, finishing without a title and fifth in the Championship, as well as the sacking of current Nottingham. Forestry Director Nuno Espirito Santo in November.
Former Barcelona sporting director Ramon Blanes joined the nine-time league champions in the same position he held at the Spanish giants in January, and former Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc has led them to the top of the standings since replacing Argentine Marcelo Gallardo in July.
Despite missing three matches due to injury, Benzema contributed 10 goals in 10 league matches along the way, including a goal in a 2-1 win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in Al-Ittihad’s final match before the winter break.
Looking to the future with @Saudi2034bid 🇸🇦🏆 pic.twitter.com/Z8ZsUDaFUr
– Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 8, 2024
Benzema’s statistics with Real Madrid
A five-time Champions League winner during his 14 years at Madrid, Benzema scored 354 goals for the club making him the second highest goalscorer of all time behind former teammate Ronaldo, who scored 451 goals.
He is said to be keen to live in Madrid again and build on his “excellent relationship” with the Spanish champions’ president, Florentino Perez.
The 2022 World Cup runner-up with France has said in interviews that he sees himself as a football ambassador for Saudi Arabia who can help attract more elite European footballers to the league.
The report says that “there is no one better” than Benzema “to carry the Madrid name across the Arabian Peninsula and be a marketing attraction in a thriving economic market.”
Al-Ittihad will then play in the King’s Cup quarter-final against Al-Hilal, the Saudi champions, who are two points behind them in the Professional League, on January 7 (5.30 pm GMT).
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