Karim Benzema's lawyer explains absence from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad and drops hint at return to former club

The ex-France international followed former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to the Middle East in 2023. He made that switch a matter of months after landing a prestigious Golden Ball that recognised him as the best player on the planet.

Benzema has registered 15 goals for Al-Ittihad, but he missed a return to training after the mid-season break and is reported to have been frozen out by head coach Marcelo Gallardo. Benzema’s lawyer, Hugues Vigier, has attempted to shed light on that situation by telling BFMTV: “He has experienced ups and downs in his sporting life, perhaps this period is less prosperous. He was also injured. He left for a few days and was kept away from the team in Saudi Arabia by the cyclone (in Mauritius). He then returned to Saudi Arabia. We saw him rise from the ashes before. If you remember, he didn't play much when he arrived at Real Madrid, then he became this absolutely essential player. He has less good moments and better moments. It's like that for all athletes.”

Benzema has been linked with a number of teams in England – as the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are credited with interest in the January transfer window – while talk of a return to Lyon being made is never far away. Vigier added on the Ligue 1 speculation: “When you are at this level and your results are a little less good at a given moment, we immediately come and say that this is the end of your career. I must say that I would be quite happy to see him come back to play in Lyon, I would like it, but he has not announced it to me for the moment.”

Benzema signed a two-year contract with Al-Ittihad when moving to Saudi Arabia, with there the option for a further 12-month extension within that deal, but he is now being heavily linked with a return to Europe just a matter of months after taking on a new challenge.