Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has on Saturday seen his short stint in Saudi Arabia take another turn for the worse.
Hitman Benzema of course opted to leave European football behind last summer, in favour of the riches of the Saudi Pro League.
His time in the colours of Al-Ittihad, however, has since not gone exactly according to plan, with the former Ballon d’Or winner having come in for regular criticism for the level of his performances.
And now, he appears headed towards a falling out with head coach Marcelo Gallardo, too.
As per a report from Marca, Benzema has not been included on Gallardo’s squad list for Al-Ittihad’s upcoming visit to Dubai.
The reigning Saudi champions are due to fly out to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, for a short training camp.
However, the club’s star attacker will not be present, after failing to report back to base in Jeddah on Friday, January 12th.
Benzema, it is understood, is still on vacation in Mauritius, albeit with his representatives having informed Marca that the Frenchman is ‘trapped’, owing to a cyclone.
Adamant that he should nevertheless have been back in Saudi Arabia a day earlier, though, the Al-Ittihad coaching staff have been left disillusioned by the behaviour of such a seasoned professional.
Benzema is also understood to have missed three training sessions, prior to he and his teammates being handed leave for the Christmas break.
Now in the bad books of his manager, too, the 36-year-old’s adventure in the Middle East continues to go from bad to worse…
Conor Laird | GSFN
