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Former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema is considering retirement this season and will become Real Madrid’s 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 world-class role, Relief he said, adding that the 36-year-old will most likely stop playing when his contract with Al-Ittihad expires in 2026.
The outlet claimed that Benzema “has not made a final decision” on whether to hang up his boots at the end of the campaign, saying he was “getting tired” from training sessions with the Saudi Pro League club, which take place 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 his contract was due to expire, Benzema joined Al-Ittihad on a three-year deal in 2023.
His first season saw a return of 13 goals and eight assists in 29 matches, few by his prolific standards as Al-Ittihad endured a turbulent 2023/24 season, finishing trophyless and fifth in the Premier League, as well as relegation of present Nottingham Forest Manager Nuno Espirito Santo in November.
Former Barcelona sporting director Ramon Planes joined the nine-time champions in the same role he held at the Spanish giants in January, with ex-PSG manager Laurent Blanc guiding them to the top of the table since replacing Argentine Marcelo Gallardo in July.
Despite missing three games through injury, Benzema has scored 10 goals in 10 league games along the way, including one in a 2-1 win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in Al-Ittihad’s final game before the winter break.
Looking to the future with @Saudi2034bid 🇸🇦🏆 pic.twitter.com/Z8ZsUDaFUr
— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 8, 2024
Benzema Real Madrid statistics
A five-time Champions League winner during his 14 years at Madrid, Benzema’s 354 goals for the club makes him second all-time top scorer behind former team-mate Ronaldo, who scored 451.
He is said to want to live in Madrid again and build on his “excellent relationship” with the current 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 said “there is no one better” than Benzema to “bring Madrid’s name across Arabia and be a marketing attraction in a growing economic market”.
Al-Ittihad are next in action in a Copa del Rey quarter-final against reigning Saudi champions Al-Hilal, who sit two points below them in the Pro League, on January 7 (1730 GMT).
