Criticized in Saudi Arabia for his performance at Al-Ittihad, Karim Benzema mysteriously disappeared from Instagram after a defeat against Al-Nassr (5-2). After Foot, on RMC, returned this Wednesday to the unease surrounding the French striker.
Title holders of the Saudi championship, Al-Ittihad are disappointing this season. A star recruit last summer, Karim Benzema has come under strong criticism in recent weeks in the Middle East. After Foot returned this Wednesday to the problem surrounding the 2022 Golden Ball, which even mysteriously disappeared from Instagram the day after a defeat (5-2) against Al-Nassr.
“When the guys took the big checks to go to Saudi Arabia, we had the feeling that it smacked of the end of their career and that, in any case, they were going to wander around because the level was low”, returned Daniel Riolo this Wednesday on RMC during After Foot. “We had the impression that we weren’t going to be too careful about overall performance.”
“We realize that there is a critical eye even though we said to ourselves that it was going to be the boss’s tour,” Riolo continued. At the start of the season, the Saudi press reported tensions between Benzema and Nuno Espírito Santo. The Portuguese coach was dismissed from his duties on November 7, replaced since by Marcelo Gallardo.
“Benzema takes a lot on social networks”
The understanding between the former Real Madrid player and Abderrazak Hamed Allah does not seem to be looking good either. Since his arrival, “KB9” has scored 12 goals in 20 matches in all competitions. If the statistics are rather honorable, Benzema’s sporting performance does not appear to live up to the expectations of the supporters.
“On social networks, Benzema takes a lot,” testified the Franco-Saudi Arnaud, follower of the local championship and administrator of an account on social networks linked to Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo’s team. “He is criticized for the current position of Al-Ittihad, which is unworthy of the club and the investment made for it.”
“When Ronaldo arrived in January, he showed signs that he wanted to play, but Benzema isn’t offering anything. It’s like the team doesn’t like him. He’s uncomfortable. I don’t know not the reason”, analyzed Walid Al-Farraj in recent days. a star presenter in Saudi Arabia. For Arnaud, Benzema also suffers from this comparison with “CR7”, always at the top at Al-Nassr. Under contract until 2026, Karim Benzema