Karim Benzema is not happy on the “money mountain” at Al Ittihad, regretting his decision to leave Real Madrid and seeking a way to escape the Saudi Pro League.
In the summer of 2023, Benzema shocked everyone by relinquishing the captain’s armband and the number one position in the attacking line of Real Madrid, in pursuit of the lucrative offer from Al Ittihad.
Benzema regrets leaving Real Madrid too late
One decision that left Coach Ancelotti “stunned,” but Benzema has made it clear that he couldn’t resist the lure of the “money mountain” – a staggering 200 million euros per year from Al Ittihad.
As a result, while Ancelotti’s Real Madrid continues to perform well, even in the face of constant injuries depleting the squad, Karim Benzema finds himself increasingly suffocated in the Middle East.
Having more money hasn’t brought happiness to the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner; instead, reports suggest that Benzema is seeking a way to escape the Saudi Pro League.
Benzema must miss moments like this…
Despite spending a significant amount of money, Al Ittihad is facing difficulties this season, currently sitting in 7th place and trailing league leaders Al Hilal by 25 points. While Benzema has scored 15 goals in 24 appearances across all competitions for the team, he has faced criticism from the Saudi media for not generating the expected impact and influence.
According to ESPN, a return to Real Madrid, where Benzema spent 14 years, seems unlikely. However, the Premier League could be an option for the striker, with Chelsea reportedly expressing interest.
Benzema is not the only player feeling suffocated in Saudi Arabia. Jordan Henderson is another example of a wrong choice in leaving a top European league to play in Asia. The English midfielder left his captaincy at Liverpool to join Al Ettifaq but has successfully negotiated an early contract release to join Ajax.
