Karim Benzema Asks To Be Left Out Of Al-Ittihad Match As Contract Dispute Explodes

In a dramatic latest twist in one of football’s biggest post-Real Madrid stories. Karim Benzema has reportedly asked to be excluded from Al-Ittihad’s squad for their upcoming Saudi Pro League clash with Al-Fateh. Following unproductive contract extension talks between the French striker and his Saudi club. 

The decision, according to prominent transfer insider Ben Jacobs, was taken by Benzema himself after prolonged negotiations reached a stalemate. This remarkable development has sent shockwaves through the footballing world. 

Not just because of Benzema’s status as one of the sport’s greatest ever forwards, but because it underscores deeper uncertainties about his future and the broader project at Al-Ittihad.

Contract Stalemate And What It Means For Benzema

Karim Benzema’s contract with Al-Ittihad is officially due to expire in the summer of 2026. Despite the club’s intentions to keep him beyond that date, negotiations over a new long-term deal have hit serious roadblocks. 

Al-Ittihad have reportedly offered an extension that could run until 2028, reflecting their desire to retain their marquee star well beyond his current deal. However, despite these offers, Benzema has not signed on the dotted line. 

In recent weeks, the veteran forward has increasingly sounded ambivalent about his long-term future in Saudi Arabia. He still believes he has plenty to offer at a high level, even as he nears his 38th birthday, and continues to publicly emphasise his focus on playing and competing rather than immediately deciding his future. 

The breakdown in talks appears to have gone beyond mere contractual terms. Reports suggest that Benzema wants clarity on the football project and competitive ambitions around him.

Inside The Rift: Benzema’s Saudi Experience

From the moment Benzema made the blockbuster move from Real Madrid to Al-Ittihad on a lucrative deal in 2023, expectations were sky-high. His arrival was part of the Saudi Pro League’s ambitious strategy to attract elite global talent and rapidly expand its sporting competitiveness and international profile. 

In his first seasons, he delivered performances that belied his advancing age, scoring consistently and helping Al-Ittihad secure major domestic honours. Yet, amidst those successes, there were signs of mounting tension, both on the pitch and behind the scenes.

Earlier in his Saudi tenure, Benzema faced periods of reported frosty relations with the coaching staff and disciplinary conversations relating to his training attendance and commitment. Reports at the time even surfaced of him training separately from the main squad and being omitted from team activities for perceived breaches of club expectations. 

Benzema’s on-field output remained impressive, but his broader Saudi experience has been defined by a push and pull between footballing ambition and the evolving nature of football life in the Middle East.

As his contract winds down, those tensions have grown more acute, and what was once seen as a potentially multi-year chapter in his iconic career now looks far less certain.

Benzema’s Personal Priorities And Future Across Europe

Even before the latest squad exclusion, Benzema had been linked repeatedly with possible moves back to Europe, where he spent the prime of his career. During conversations and interviews in recent months, he has openly acknowledged his love for his former club, Real Madrid, and has not outright dismissed the possibility of returning.

 A hint that his long-term priorities may still lean toward a competitive European stage. That sentiment reflects a broader tension for elite players like Benzema. While the financial and off-field rewards of playing in Saudi Arabia are enormous, the lure of top-level football, Champions League competition, and personal legacy often remains strong. 

Especially for someone who has achieved virtually everything at the highest level already. Complicating matters further, a return to Europe at this stage would require careful negotiation. At nearly 38 years old, Benzema is no longer a typical transfer target for elite European superclubs.  Nevertheless, offers or opportunities from competitive Middle Eastern outfits, Turkish sides, or even Ligue 1 clubs could appeal if they align with his personal and professional goals.

What This Means For Al-Ittihad And The Saudi League

For Al-Ittihad, Benzema’s request to be excluded from the squad is an urgent wake-up call. The club has built a star-studded roster aimed at competing for domestic and continental trophies. Yet the public nature of this standoff raises complex issues about leadership, team unity, and long-term strategy.

Despite the contract impasse with Benzema and his uncertainty, Al-Ittihad has reiterated its desire to keep him. The club’s sporting director has previously acknowledged Benzema’s importance and expressed hope that talks will eventually conclude positively. 

Yet for a side jostling for titles and competing in a rapidly evolving league that’s attracting both legends and rising stars, stability at the striker position is crucial. If Benzema’s relationship with the club cannot be normalized, then Al-Ittihad may face a difficult winter window where key decisions about transfers, tactical planning, and squad morale come into sharp focus.