Who could have predicted that Karim Benzema would experience a longer goal drought in Saudi Arabia than during his interminable epic at the highest European level with Real Madrid? However, this is exactly what happened on the side of Al-Ittihad, where the 2022 Golden Ball had not scored since December 15, during a Club World Cup match against Al -Ahly (1-3).
Four months and eight starts without scoring later, KB9 broke free on Monday evening… from the first minute of play in the semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup against Al-Wehda (2-1). The Lyonnais recovered a poorly returned ball in the open area and used his opportunism to find the fault (1-0, 1st).
“Mission accomplished”, before a first trophy?
Enough to try to reverse a damn negative spiral for him in the Saudi Pro League, between physical problems, rumors of tensions with coaches Nuno Espirito Santo then Marcelo Gallardo, sidelined by his club, and classification unworthy of the means invested by Al-Ittihad (4th, 30 points behind leader Al-Hilal). Before this first goal scored in 2024, Karim Benzema explained on Friday: “It’s not the same game here, they’re not the same players. I need help on the pitch, I can’t win matches alone. »
He was content Monday evening on his Instagram account a photo of his celebration with the message “Mission accomplished”. Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, sent off in the other semi-final of the Super Cup lost by Al-Nassr against Al-Hilal (1-2), the 36-year-old French striker is only one victory away from winning his first trophy in Saudi Arabia.