Sidelined during Al-Ittihad’s first three matches in 2024, Karim Benzema finally returns to competition with the Jeddah team, this Sunday against Al-Riyadh.
Karim Benzema finally returns to competition this Sunday with Al-Ittihad. Uncomfortable with the reigning Saudi Arabian champion and strongly criticized by supporters, the 2022 Ballon d’Or has in turn disappeared from circulation (and from Instagram) and demanded his departure from the Jeddah club, before to return to training later than his teammates (after the winter break).
“KB9” thus missed the first three matches of 2024 for Marcelo Gallardo’s team, not being registered for the Asian Champions League meeting of the week in Uzbekistan, against Navbahor Namangan (0-0) . The 36-year-old is the starter for the match on the 20th day of the Saudi Pro League against Al-Riyadh, 15th in the ranking, this Sunday (6 p.m.).
Kanté very present
Benzema is associated with Romarinho and Abderrazak Hamdallah in the attacking sector. N’Golo Kanté and Fabinho are present in the midfield.
Al-Ittihad is having a very bad season since the Jeddah team (one of the four teams boosted by the PIF, the sovereign fund of Saudi Arabia) is only 5th in the championship, 25 points (!) behind leader Al-Hilal.
