- Karim Benzema has made the shutdown official, claiming he is unhappy in Saudi Arabia
- He also said he has no problems with Al-Ittihad manager Marcelo Gallardo
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Karim Benzema claims he is unhappy in Saudi Arabia and insists he has no problems with Al-Ittihad manager Marcelo Gallardo despite recent reports of a rift with Argentina.
The former Real Madrid striker was the big signing of the Saudi Pro League last summer, joining on a free transfer from the Spanish giants.
The Frenchman – who signed a three-year contract with the club – performed well on the pitch but appeared to struggle to establish himself in Saudi Arabia.
Benzema is said to have been excluded from the first training XI after returning from his 17-day holiday at the end of last month.
A source said they were unable to even contact him for 10 days while he was on holiday in Mauritius, although he was reportedly stuck there due to a cyclone.
Karim Benzema (pictured above) claims he is unhappy in Saudi Arabia
The former Real Madrid striker was the big signing of the Saudi Pro League last summer, joining on a free transfer from the Spanish giants.
The Frenchman – who signed a three-year contract with the club – has performed well on the pitch, but has also struggled with problems off it.
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The incident meant Benzema did not travel with his teammates to their mid-season training camp in Dubai.
Benzema was subsequently dropped for their Saudi Pro League match against Al-Tai and failed to make the squad for their Asian Champions League trip to Navbahor Namangan in Uzbekistan.
However, Benzema claims he is unhappy in Saudi Arabia and says he has no problems with Gallardo.
Speaking to reporters, Benzema said: ‘I’m back and now I’m better. The story of my departure is not true and I am happy in Saudi Arabia.
‘I have no problem with (Marcelo) Gallardo, all those who say I want to go back to Europe are liars. I am very happy at Al-Ittihad.’
He ended by saying, “As for me, I have no problem with anyone. Ask the coach about my absence, I was ready for the internship in Dubai.’
This is not the first time Benzema has hit back at reports saying he was unhappy in Saudi Arabia. He denied similar claims when speaking to GQ Middle East.
Benzema said: ‘It (being in Saudi Arabia) is a new challenge (and one) that I enjoy – a long-term project and in a Muslim country.
‘I’m not just a footballer here in Saudi Arabia, I’m also an ambassador. I am here to bring in big European players in the near future, even though there are already great players in the Saudi league. Our challenge is to take it to the same level of European competitions.
‘Time will tell (what happens next), but it will be me who chooses when my career ends or not.
“Ultimately, I would like to be remembered as someone who started at the bottom and worked her way to the top on her own, despite all the obstacles I encountered. That’s something I’m really proud of.’
Benzema’s future in Saudi Arabia looked uncertain earlier this month after reports he stormed out of a first-team training session.
According to MARCA, Gallardo instructed Benzema to train alone, but the attacker refused his instruction and walked out.
Just a few days later, he was photographed training at the club’s facilities, but only with the injured players.
Gallardo has taken a tough stance on Benzema after returning from holiday 17 days late
It was reported that the relationship between Benzema and the club had soured after he returned to training after the mid-season break, more than two weeks late.
Benzema had tight talks with the club’s hierarchy in early February and was touted to leave in January due to unrest, but he stayed put.
The 36-year-old former Real Madrid striker, who earns £86million a year, has been linked with Premier League clubs Manchester United and Chelsea during the spell.
A move to Lyon in his native France also fell through, which may have worked in Benzema’s favor as he is adamant he is ‘happy’ in Saudi Arabia.
