Al Ittihad is lingering around the midtable spots of the SPL. The club is evidently disappointed in their marquee player, Karim Benzema, who, despite scoring 11 goals this season, has been stripped of his captaincy. Things, however, do not stop there. The player has also recieved criticism from the club’s former star player, who iterates how ‘respect is earned.’

Al Ittihad was well placed at the top of the league until late September. But the cancellation of their match in game week eight changed the whole tide for the Jeddah club, that later rubbed off on Benzema.

Karim Benzema called out on his leadership by former Al Ittihad star

The problem seems to be not just with the performance but also with the leadership of Karim Benzema. According to Tcheco, a former midfielder who made 61 appearances for the club, the Frenchman ghosted his peers when the team needed him the most. Sending a message to Benzema, Tcheco said, “The character cannot be purchased. Respect is earned, not bought.” Further adding, “The club needed you at that time when great men appeared, but you preferred to disappear.”

It all started falling apart for both Benzema and Al Ittihad in late December 2023. The club met Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr and suffered a thumping 2-5 defeat. This did not go well with the Frenchman, who felt disillusioned with the sporting project and has since boycotted training.

The player also made demands for adding more quality and strength to the squad and has threatened to leave the club. However, initially looking like they were accepting, it now turns out that the club is penalizing the Frenchman.

Karim Benzema punished by Al Ittihad

Al Ittihad showed great fighting spirit to snatch the title away from Al Nassr last year. Similarly, this year, Karim Benzema was expected to put up a similar fight. But the player has taken an absence without permission, which has led the coach, Marcelo Gallardo, to remove him from the captaincy.

READ MORE – France Legend Says Karim Benzema ‘Regrets’ Al Ittihad Move; Calls Saudi Pro League an ‘Artificial Championship’

Benzema is also at risk of leaving the club. The five-time UEFA Champions League winner was not selected for the club’s tour of Dubai. Currently, the club is making quite a few changes to the squad, and whether Benzema will keep his place despite all the hiccups is yet to be seen.

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