Striker Karim Benzema has personally requested to be removed from Al-Ittihad squad and is refusing to play, following the presentation of a new contract he finds deeply insulting.
According to a report from French publication L’Équipe, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner was presented with a renewal offer that his representatives have described as so poor it would be akin to “playing for free.” The proposal is said to be far below his current landmark deal, which is understood to be worth approximately $108 million per year.
Beyond the drastic reduction in financial terms, the proposed contract would also strip the French forward of his valuable image rights. For a global icon like Benzema, these rights represent a major source of income and personal brand management. The combination of a severely reduced salary and the loss of image rights has led the player to feel profoundly disrespected by the club’s hierarchy.
In a firm response, Benzema has withdrawn from all team activities and will not play for the Saudi Pro League side until further notice. Sources close to the player state he has called the offer “ridiculous” and an “insult,” given his contributions to the club since his high-profile arrival in the summer of 2023.
Those contributions have been remarkable. In 83 appearances across all competitions, Benzema has scored 54 goals and provided 17 assists. His leadership and quality on the pitch were instrumental in the club’s successful 2024-25 Saudi Pro League title campaign, as well as a Kings Cup victory, adding silverware to the club’s trophy cabinet.
The standoff now leaves Al-Ittihad in a precarious position. With Benzema insisting he will not play under these terms, and with his current contract set to expire, the possibility of the former Real Madrid legend leaving as a free agent in just a few months has become very real.