Al Ittihad’s head coach Nuno Espirito Santo recently found himself at odds with Karim Benzema, the club’s marquee forward. A report from Sarku’l Avsat indicates tensions arose as the coach signaled that Benzema would not feature in the starting lineup, arguing that the French star has not aligned with the team’s tactical schedule. In addition, the coaching staff reportedly declined to award Benzema the captain’s armband, a move that echoed the forward’s own aspiration to captain the side after making his high-profile move to Al-Ittihad.
The controversy comes on the heels of Benzema’s high-profile transfer. On June 6, the French striker left Real Madrid and agreed to a contract with the Saudi club through 2026. He has already appeared in two league matches this season, contributing an assist in what is still a relatively short campaign so far for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. This early involvement marks the beginning of a new chapter after a storied tenure in Spain and a wealth of expectations in the Saudi league.
Looking back at Benzema’s recent form, the forward enjoyed a strong season previously, turning out in 23 league games and tallying 18 goals with three assists. Real Madrid finished second in the league standings that season, also clinching the national cup, illustrating the level of competition Benzema helped the team sustain. The Ballon d’Or award in 2022 remains a hallmark of his career, highlighting his peak performance during an era of club success and personal acclaim.
During his 14-year period with Real Madrid, Benzema accumulated a remarkable collection of trophies—25 in total—alongside a prolific goal tally that positioned him as the second all-time top scorer for the club. This enduring legacy at Real Madrid underscores the significance of his move to Al-Ittihad and the expectations that come with joining a club eager to compete at high levels in both domestic and continental competitions.
On the other side of the football spectrum, Wojciech Szczesny, the veteran former goalkeeper of Juventus and the Polish national team, clarified his stance on transfer rumors from the Saudi market. Szczesny stated that he was not pursuing offers from Saudi clubs, underscoring the selective nature of his career choices and the broader marketplace dynamics that accompany moves to the region. His comments provide context for the ongoing conversations about player mobility and the varying trajectories that players consider when evaluating opportunities abroad.