Karim Benzema hands over penalty to Al Ittihad team-mate after scoring first Saudi Pro League goal
Karim Benzema hands over penalty to Al Ittihad team-mate after scoring first Saudi Pro League goal
Karim Benzema decided to hand penalty taking duties over to one of his Al Ittihad team-mates during their Saudi Pro League clash against Al Riyadh.
The French forward, one of the division’s marquee signings this summer, had earlier put Al Ittihad 1-0 up for his first Saudi Pro League goal.
Al Ittihad then won a penalty when Abderrazak Hamdallah was tripped by a defender as he was preparing to shoot.
Benzema is the club’s assigned penalty taker, and picked up the ball before heading towards the spot.
But he then selflessly decided to give up the chance to net a brace – handing the ball over to Hamdallah instead. The Moroccan striker converted his spot kick into the top left corner for his third goal in as many games.
Benzema’s goal came on 17 minutes – and the build-up largely involved good work from the 35-year-old himself.
He picked the ball up in his own half, before charging forward beyond the Al Riyadh midfield.
He then passed the ball to Brazilian midfielder Romarinho in the area, who then played a one-two to Benzema.
The former Real Madrid star showed typical poise and composure by stopping the ball and allowing the Al Riyadh defender to commit to a challenge, before placing the ball beyond goalkeeper Martin Campana from 10 yards.
His goal comes amid explosive claims from Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that manager Nuno Espirito Santo told the Al Ittihad board that Benzema does not fit into his tactical style, and did not request his signing. They also alleged that Benzema feels ‘uncomfortable’ at the club.
However, Al Ittihad later posted a video of the forward to social media with the caption “KB9 always happy,” appearing to dispel the claims. The video was reposted by Benzema’s official account.
Nuno Espirito Santo ‘tells Al-Ittihad board Karim Benzema NOT in his plans’, Frenchman only joined two months ago
Al-Ittihad boss Nuno Espirito Santo has told the club that Karim Benzema does not fit into his plans, a report has claimed.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner only joined the Saudi Pro League champions back in June, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal after a glittering 14-year career at Real Madrid.
However, Saudi newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat has claimed that there are tensions between Benzema and his manager.
The report alleges that Nuno has told the Al-Ittihad hierarchy that the France international does not fit his style of play and that he never request the transfer.
The 35-year-old, who has won the Champions League five times, is also said to have asked for the captaincy, only for Nuno to turn down the request and hand the armband to club legend Romarinho.
Benzema allegedly agreed to be club skipper as part of his transfer negotiations with Al-Ittihad, who won the Saudi Pro League title under Nuno last season.
Benzema is reportedly “not comfortable” working under the current conditions at Al-Ittihad, after “being treated unprofessionally by his coach”.
Such tensions could even lead to the player’s shock exit, just two months after joining the team.
Benzema is one of four players to join the club from European teams this term, with N’Golo Kante, Fabinho and Jota also being signed by the club this summer.
Al-Ittihad started the domestic season with back-to-back wins over Al-Raed and Al-Ta’ee and are currently sitting at the Saudi Pro League summit.
While Benzema is yet to score in both games he managed to claim an assist in the season opener.
Nuno’s side will return to action against Al-Riyadh on Thursday before coming up against Al-Wehda next Monday.
Benzema scored 354 goals in 648 games across his time at Real Madrid, claiming four La Liga titles in the process.
Moreover, he has also earned 97 caps for France, netting 37 times.
Karim Benzema hands over penalty to Al Ittihad team-mate after scoring first Saudi Pro League goal
Karim Benzema hands over penalty to Al Ittihad team-mate after scoring first Saudi Pro League goal
Karim Benzema decided to hand penalty taking duties over to one of his Al Ittihad team-mates during their Saudi Pro League clash against Al Riyadh.
The French forward, one of the division’s marquee signings this summer, had earlier put Al Ittihad 1-0 up for his first Saudi Pro League goal.
Al Ittihad then won a penalty when Abderrazak Hamdallah was tripped by a defender as he was preparing to shoot.
Benzema is the club’s assigned penalty taker, and picked up the ball before heading towards the spot.
But he then selflessly decided to give up the chance to net a brace – handing the ball over to Hamdallah instead. The Moroccan striker converted his spot kick into the top left corner for his third goal in as many games.
Benzema’s goal came on 17 minutes – and the build-up largely involved good work from the 35-year-old himself.
He picked the ball up in his own half, before charging forward beyond the Al Riyadh midfield.
He then passed the ball to Brazilian midfielder Romarinho in the area, who then played a one-two to Benzema.
The former Real Madrid star showed typical poise and composure by stopping the ball and allowing the Al Riyadh defender to commit to a challenge, before placing the ball beyond goalkeeper Martin Campana from 10 yards.
His goal comes amid explosive claims from Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that manager Nuno Espirito Santo told the Al Ittihad board that Benzema does not fit into his tactical style, and did not request his signing. They also alleged that Benzema feels ‘uncomfortable’ at the club.
However, Al Ittihad later posted a video of the forward to social media with the caption “KB9 always happy,” appearing to dispel the claims. The video was reposted by Benzema’s official account.
Nuno Espirito Santo ‘tells Al-Ittihad board Karim Benzema NOT in his plans’, Frenchman only joined two months ago
Al-Ittihad boss Nuno Espirito Santo has told the club that Karim Benzema does not fit into his plans, a report has claimed.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner only joined the Saudi Pro League champions back in June, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal after a glittering 14-year career at Real Madrid.
However, Saudi newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat has claimed that there are tensions between Benzema and his manager.
The report alleges that Nuno has told the Al-Ittihad hierarchy that the France international does not fit his style of play and that he never request the transfer.
The 35-year-old, who has won the Champions League five times, is also said to have asked for the captaincy, only for Nuno to turn down the request and hand the armband to club legend Romarinho.
Benzema allegedly agreed to be club skipper as part of his transfer negotiations with Al-Ittihad, who won the Saudi Pro League title under Nuno last season.
Benzema is reportedly “not comfortable” working under the current conditions at Al-Ittihad, after “being treated unprofessionally by his coach”.
Such tensions could even lead to the player’s shock exit, just two months after joining the team.
Benzema is one of four players to join the club from European teams this term, with N’Golo Kante, Fabinho and Jota also being signed by the club this summer.
Al-Ittihad started the domestic season with back-to-back wins over Al-Raed and Al-Ta’ee and are currently sitting at the Saudi Pro League summit.
While Benzema is yet to score in both games he managed to claim an assist in the season opener.
Nuno’s side will return to action against Al-Riyadh on Thursday before coming up against Al-Wehda next Monday.
Benzema scored 354 goals in 648 games across his time at Real Madrid, claiming four La Liga titles in the process.
Moreover, he has also earned 97 caps for France, netting 37 times.
