Karim Benzema’s complicated season in Saudi Arabia continues: the 2022 Ballon d’Or, injured in the calf, was absent during Al-Ittihad’s defeat against Al-Shabab (1-3), Friday evening. Nothing is going right anymore…
New setback for Karim Benzema. After missing three matches in February (following his delay in resuming training, when he requested his departure ” temporary “), then four in March, the star striker of Al-Ittihad had six games in a row. For a lackluster collective record with three victories, a draw and two defeats and disappointing individual stats (only one goal and one assist). Here he is injured again.
Ittihad Club had announced a left calf problem for “KB9” and the latter did not appear on the match sheet against Al-Shabab, Friday evening in Jeddah. N’Golo Kanté, rather strong since the start of 2024, also withdrew from this Saudi Pro League meeting, due to an injury to a hamstring muscle in his right leg.
What a snub!
Concern for Al-Ittihad: the reigning Saudi Arabian champion was beaten (1-3) on his home field by the 9th in the ranking led by Romain Saïss. Abderrazak Hamdallah, uncertain before the match, came into play in place of a young 16-year-old striker to equalize (58th) after an opener from former Strasbourg player Habib Diallo (48th). At the end of the match, the Brazilian Carlos Vinicius (82nd) and Musab Al Juwayr (90th+10) gave victory to their team. Much to the anger of the public in yellow.
The failed season of the team led by Marcelo Gallardo continues: Al-Ittihad is now fifth in the standings six days from the end, with two points less than 3rd, Al-Ahli, which has one game less. Only the first three will qualify for the Asian Champions League via the Saudi Pro League (Al-Hilal will be crowned champion ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr). And Benzema would still consider a departure from Al-Ittihad (and probably Saudi Arabia).
