Samir Nasri believes he knows why his former teammate Karim Benzema is so criticized in Saudi Arabia.
Karim Benzema is going through a difficult time at the moment. Having left for Saudi Arabia to enjoy a golden retirement, the seasoned French striker is faced with a completely different reality within his new club. On the side of Al Ittihad, he even became persona non grata.
“Benzema took the criticism badly”
The former Real player is heavily criticized by Al Riyadh. And opinions differ regarding the reasons for the cabal he undergoes. Samir Nasri, his former teammate in the French team, did his part, while specifying that he had not heard directly from him.
“Benzema, it’s complicated. I think his case is different from the others, began by entrusting Nasri to Canal+. The year before, he won the Ballon d’Or. For them, by signing it, they expect mountains and wonders from him. The year before, without him, they were champions. They are doing XXL recruitment this year and they are only 5th. And the first culprit is the team’s star player. The reference is Cristiano Ronaldo and they hoped he would do good. He took this kind of criticism badly.”
Recently, several stars who joined the Saudi Pro League are turning back, like Roberto Firmino or Jordan Henderson. The players claim a complicated adaptation, but Nasri thinks that the reasons for this about-face lie elsewhere. “It’s the Saudis who don’t want it anymore. When he gives 20, 30, 40 million in salary, they expect them (the recruits) to score 50 goals. For them, it’s difficult. And then, there is a football fervor there, not like in the United Arab Emirates or Qatar.”
