The hardest part isn’t the fall, it’s the landing. When Karim Benzema joined Saudi club Al-Ittihad this year on a lucrative contract, the Ballon d’Or seemed destined for a comfortable pre-retirement. But for several weeks, the 36-year-old Frenchman has suffered the wrath of fans after a series of disappointing performances, to the point of wondering if this adventure in the land of MBS will not end sooner than expected.
Indeed, the supporters, who cheered him on his arrival in June, when hundreds of drones formed above the Al-Ittihad stadium the roaring face of a tiger – the nickname of the club -, are now mocking of the “kitten” Benzema on social networks. No doubt anticipating a new surge of cat photos on the web, but also hateful messages, his Instagram account, followed by 76 million people, was deactivated after the 5-2 defeat against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
Before the 19th day of the championship and a trip to Hail on Saturday, Al Ittihad remains sixth in the Saudi League, which has eighteen teams, although it fields in addition to Benzema, N’Golo Kante and the Brazilian Fabinho. But the new recruits “did not achieve the expected results”, admits a source close to the club today.
KB9 drags out his misery
“It is true that we expected more from Benzema, but we remain aware of his value as a world-class player,” added the official, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the press. It is not always easy to arrive in a new championship and shine immediately (…) and it is perhaps a question of time.” We take reassurance as best we can from the club’s staff.
The former king of Real Madrid gives the impression of being isolated and dragging his misery almost everywhere on the country’s pitches. On Tuesday, he missed three clear scoring chances and conceded a penalty in Al-Ittihad’s third consecutive defeat. His failed penalty against the Egyptians of Al-Ahly, on December 15, during the Club World Cup, drove fans crazy, the hosts of the competition, who had spent a lot of money to shine, having been eliminated after only two poor matches.
Benzema is experiencing a “very strange situation” which sometimes affects “high-level” players, said Saudi sports journalist Abdel Karim Al-Jasser to the public channel Al-Ekhbariya. “He may be at odds with the club (…) but that does not excuse him because he makes no effort, misses very easy chances and seems to have lost the desire to play football,” he added.
Is a return to Europe possible?
Benzema has scored nine goals, including two penalties, in fifteen league matches: a solid performance, but cat’s pee compared to Ronaldo’s nineteen goals, Aleksandar Mitrovic’s sixteen and… Georges-Kevin’s fourteen. N’Koudou. Al-Ittihad is the team that has conceded the most goals in the league and scored the fewest among the four teams bought by the wealthy Public Investment Fund (FIP). Enough to plunge the club into crisis, having since separated from its coach Nuno Espirito Santo last month before hiring the Argentinian Marcelo Gallardo.
“Benzema was affected by Al-Ittihad’s situation in general,” said Egyptian sports commentator Amir Abdel Halim, adding that “Al-Ittihad’s defensive advantage last season has disappeared.” “Benzema let the team down in big matches,” complains Amir, a disillusioned fan of the Saudi club. He is the captain of the team, but he does not give the impression of being the leader of the team. He seems misguided, like he’s in another world.” We cannot honestly let the “People’s Golden Ball” end his immense career like this. But a return to Europe is it even possible? John Textor, if you’re reading us…