The football world is abuzz with speculation about a possible reunion between Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, as reports surface about Benzema's growing discontent at Al Ittihad. Having made a high-profile move to the Saudi Pro League last summer, following in the footsteps of his former Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo, Benzema's tenure with Al Ittihad has not lived up to expectations, with the team languishing in seventh place in the league standings.
Benzema's surprise exit from Real Madrid, where he had been expected to sign a one-year extension, sent shockwaves through the football community. His decision to join Al Ittihad was greeted with much fanfare, including a lavish welcome ceremony in Jeddah. However, the euphoria of his arrival has since dissipated, with Al Ittihad's underwhelming performance this season casting a shadow over his stint with the club.
Recent reports from Diario AS suggest that Benzema is in discussions with a Riyadh-based club, fueling rumors of a potential move to Ronaldo's current team, Al Nassr. The prospect of Benzema joining forces with Ronaldo once again is a tantalizing one for fans of the duo, who enjoyed considerable success together at Real Madrid. Alternatively, Benzema is also linked with a move to Al Hilal, the current league leaders, indicating that his future in the Saudi Pro League remains uncertain.
Al Ittihad's manager, Marcelo Gallardo, appears to have lost confidence in Benzema, with the French striker struggling to replicate the form that saw him lift the Ballon d'Or in 2022. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has continued to excel at Al Nassr, adding another dimension to the narrative of Benzema's potential departure from Al Ittihad.
While a return to Europe has been floated as a possibility for Benzema, challenges abound. Manchester United, once rumored to be interested in the striker, faces financial constraints that may preclude a move for Benzema this January. Lyon, Benzema's former club, has also expressed interest in bringing him back, but financial realities may hinder such a deal, given Benzema's lucrative contract with Al Ittihad.
The Saudi Pro League has attracted a number of high-profile players in recent times, drawn by the substantial financial incentives. However, the experience of former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who recently left Al Ettifaq for Ajax, underscores that financial considerations are not the sole factor in players' decisions about their careers.
Benzema's situation came into sharper focus after he took an extended holiday following a heavy defeat by Al Nassr, leading to tensions with Gallardo and speculation about his future at the club. The striker's withdrawal from social media has further fueled rumors about his dissatisfaction with life at Al Ittihad.
As the saga unfolds, the possibility of a Ronaldo-Benzema reunion at Al Nassr looms large, offering the tantalizing prospect of reigniting one of football's most prolific partnerships. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the next chapter in Benzema's career, as he weighs his options amidst a challenging period at Al Ittihad.
