Karim Benzema returned to Al-Ittihad training led by Marcelo Gallardo.
This was revealed by the Saudi club in images published on their social networks, which seemed to be a sign that the conflict between the coach and the French star had come to an end after the forward was absent from the first preseason training sessions.
However, upon his return to practice, Gallardo ordered Benzema to move apart from the rest of his teammates as punishment for the days in which he was absent and the former Real Madrid footballer, 36, refused and left. He withdrew from the property where those led by El Muñeco train, reports the newspaper
Marca
.
“The Argentine coach, firm in his conviction not to give privileges and in pursuit of justice within the locker room, ordered the former Real Madrid player to exercise alone after a first part of work with the group.
However,
Karim refused to do it, got angry... and soon left the session,”
says the Spanish newspaper.
The relationship between the two has not been on the best terms since the beginning of the year.
The thing is that the winner of the 2022 Ballon d'Or did not show up for training on January 12, the agreed day after the end of the vacation period.
He alleged that he did not manage to return in time from his trip to Mauritius because he was trapped by a cyclone that prevented him from mobilizing, but the former River coach, who does not negotiate these types of issues, also made the decision to separate him from the squad. .
KB9 🟡⚫️ pic.twitter.com/sTLuqBaGEi
— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) February 5, 2024
Now,
the conflict is intensifying and Benzema's future is unknown.
Despite the weighty decision made by the coach, the fans support the Argentine.
The thing is that they also exhausted their patience with the Real Madrid idol.
To the point that, despite having scored 9 goals this season, they accused him of not meeting the club's expectations and led the player to close his social networks due to the flood of criticism he received.
The international press reported that Benzema was planning to leave Al-Ittihad, due to alleged interests from European clubs and not adapting to his stay in Saudi Arabia, but he finally agreed on his continuity in the team that beat Al-Ta 3-0 this Tuesday. 'ee and reached 31 points in the Saudi Arabian league.
Congratulations 👏👏💛
Ittihad 3-0 Tai
⚽️8' Hamdallah
⚽️42' F.Alghamdi
⚽️87' Romarinho pic.twitter.com/95MZInYguw
— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) February 7, 2024
With goals from Abderrazak Hamdallah at 8 minutes of play, Faisal Al-Ghamdi (42') and Romarinho (87'),
Al Ittihad is fifth, three points behind Al Taawon,
but far from Al-Ahli Saudi, which has 40 units, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr (46) and Al Hilal (50), who are fighting to qualify for the AFC Champions League.