Benzema ‘will become ambassador’ as striker ‘plans to retire in 2025’
Former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema is considering retiring this season and will become Real Madrid’s Middle East-focused ambassador, 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, relief he said, adding that the 36-year-old is most likely to stop playing when his deal with Al-Ittihad ends in 2026.
The outlet claimed that Benzema “has not made a final decision” on whether to hang up his boots at the end of this campaign, and claimed that he is “beginning to tire” of training with the Saudi Pro League club, which are celebrated in the afternoon due to high morning temperatures in Jeddah.
When we speak, we must take responsibility ☄️ #alhamdulillah 🤲🏼🤍 pic.twitter.com/tBVu2qmiWz
— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 6, 2024
Benzema in Saudi Arabia
After leaving Madrid a year before the end of his contract, Benzema joined Al-Ittihad on a three-year deal in 2023.
His first season produced a return of 13 goals and eight assists in 29 games which was low by his prolific levels as Al-Ittihad endured a turbulent 2023/24, finishing trophyless and fifth in the top flight, in addition to dismissing the current Nottingham. Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo in November.
Former Barcelona sporting director Ramon Planes joined the new champions in the same role he held at the Spanish giants in January, and ex-PSG manager Laurent Blanc has led them to the top of the table since replacing the Argentine Marcelo Gallardo in July.
Despite missing three games through injury, Benzema has contributed 10 goals in 10 league games along the way, including one in a 2-1 win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in Al-Nassr’s last game Ittihad before winter break.
Looking to the future with the @Saudi2034bid 🇸🇦🏆 pic.twitter.com/Z8ZsUDaFUr
— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 8, 2024
Statistics of Benzema of Real Madrid
A five-time Champions League winner during 14 years at Madrid, Benzema’s 354 goals for the club make him the second-highest goalscorer of all time behind former team-mate Ronaldo, who scored 451.
He is said to be keen to return to Madrid and build on his “excellent relationship” with reigning Spanish champions president Florentino Perez.
The 2022 World Cup runner-up with France has said in interviews that he sees himself as an ambassador for football in Saudi Arabia who can help attract more elite European footballers to the league.
The report says there is “no one better” than Benzema to “carry the Madrid name across Arabia and be a marketing draw in a booming economic market”.
Al-Ittihad are next in action in a King Cup quarter-final tie against reigning Saudi champions Al-Hilal, two points below them in the Pro League, on January 7 ( 17.30 GMT).
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