Karim Benzema is believed to have gone on strike in Saudi Arabia after being handed a contract extension which the Real Madrid great has deemed ‘insulting’, according to reports.
The striker moved to Al-Ittihad in 2023 in a blockbuster deal that puts his salary at a staggering £1.61million per week – or just over £230,000 per day.
But the French international is out of contract at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, and amid uncertainty of where the 38-year-old might play next term, Benzema is thought to have made a statement on contract talks in Jeddah.
As per outlets in France, both Benzema and the club are keen to continue their partnership, but after Al-Ittihad made their initial contract offering on Thursday, the forward was so incensed by the terms that he withdrew himself from the matchday squad.
Head coach Sergio Conceicao was forced to omit Benzema from the squad that drew 2-2 with Al Fateh, and refused to answer questions on the notable absence.
Benzema is thought to have started to train away from the group, as per ESPN, due to feeling that the first extension offer was ‘insulting’.
Karim Benzema is reportedly ‘insulted’ by the contract extension handed to him at Al-Ittihad
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner is believed to have accused the club of making him ‘play for free’ at the start of the contract, with Benzema only able to profit from his image rights.
‘You should go to the management with those questions. I’m only here to train the players, officiate matches, and win trophies,’ said Conceicao when queried over Benzema’s absence.
‘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.’
Although Benzema has enjoyed a fine individual season, scoring eight in his 14 appearances, Al-Ittihad themselves are mired in sixth in the Saudi Pro League standings.
Benzema is thought to be considering his options for a move away from the club as the January window prepares to reach its crescendo in Europe.
The player is currently the third-highest paid in world football, with his £85m yearly salary just trailing Lionel Messi’s at Inter Miami, which totals £96.9m.
Both however are completely dwarfed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s at Al-Nassr, which comes in at a staggering £194m per year.
