Reports from France indicate that Karim Benzema, the former Real Madrid superstar, has taken drastic action in Saudi Arabia by effectively going on strike. This dramatic move comes in response to a contract extension offer from his current club, Al-Ittihad, which the player has reportedly described as 'insulting'.
A Staggering Salary Now Under Scrutiny
The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner made a high-profile move to Al-Ittihad in 2023, signing a deal that secured him an astonishing £1.61 million per week, equating to over £230,000 daily. Despite this monumental figure, his current contract is set to conclude at the end of the 2025-26 season. With uncertainty looming over the 38-year-old's future for the next term, tensions have surfaced regarding renewal talks at the club's base in Jeddah.
Contract Talks Turn Sour
According to sources, both Benzema and Al-Ittihad were initially keen to continue their partnership. However, the situation deteriorated rapidly last Thursday when the club presented its first formal extension proposal. The terms of this offer so incensed the French international that he made the decisive choice to withdraw himself from the matchday squad entirely.
Head coach Sergio Conceicao was consequently forced to omit Benzema from the team that drew 2-2 with Al Fateh. When pressed by journalists about the star's notable absence, Conceicao pointedly refused to provide details, stating: 'You should go to the management with those questions. I'm only here to train the players, officiate matches, and win trophies.'
Training Alone Amid Accusations
Further reports, including from ESPN, suggest that Benzema has begun training separately from the main group. This isolation stems directly from his profound dissatisfaction with the initial contract offer. The striker is believed to feel so strongly that he has accused the club of effectively asking him to 'play for free' at the start of the proposed new deal, with his compensation seemingly limited to profits from image rights.
Conceicao did offer some praise for the player amidst the controversy, remarking: 'Karim is a fantastic professional. He's a fantastic player who scored 13 goals in 17 matches under my guidance. I'm proud to be his manager.'
Individual Brilliance vs. Team Struggles
This dispute unfolds against a backdrop of contrasting fortunes. On a personal level, Benzema has enjoyed a fine individual season, netting eight goals in just 14 appearances. Yet, Al-Ittihad's collective campaign has been disappointing, with the team currently languishing in sixth place in the Saudi Pro League standings.
Weighing Up a January Exit
With the European January transfer window approaching its climax, it is understood that Benzema is now actively considering his options for a potential move away from the Saudi club. The possibility of an imminent departure adds a significant layer of urgency to the ongoing standoff.
The Global Wage Landscape
Despite the current impasse, Benzema remains one of football's highest earners. His annual salary at Al-Ittihad is approximately £85 million, making him the third-best-paid player in the world. This places him just behind Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, who earns around £96.9 million per year. Both figures, however, are completely dwarfed by Cristiano Ronaldo's staggering £194 million annual wage at rivals Al-Nassr, highlighting the immense financial scale of the Saudi Pro League.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether a resolution can be found between the disgruntled superstar and his club, or if this contract dispute will precipitate a major transfer as the window closes.
