Karim Benzema will not be in action on Saturday with Al-Ittihad in the league match against Al Tawoun. The French star has not participated in training with coach Marcelo Gallardo's squad for the past two days and is reported to have even left Riyadh.
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Local media in Saudi Arabia revealed on Friday that Karim Benzema would be absent from Al-Ittihad's upcoming league match against Al Tawoun on Saturday.
The reason behind Benzema's departure from Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, remains unclear, with suggestions pointing to personal reasons. Benzema, currently navigating a challenging phase in his career, notably took this step after the team's substantial 2-5 defeat against Al-Nassr, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, this past Tuesday.
The situation escalated further as the former Ballon d'Or winner decided to delete his Instagram account, a move interpreted by some as a response to the mounting criticism of his performance.
Despite contributing twelve goals since his arrival at Al-Ittihad, the 36-year-old striker is now grappling with accusations of a perceived lack of commitment. Benzema's situation isn't isolated, as reports from Saudi Arabia indicate that Roberto Firmino, another football star, is contemplating a departure from Al-Ahli and is rumored to be eyeing a return to the Premier League, according to English media.
These unfolding challenges for prominent players in Saudi Arabia mark the initial signs of strain in the country's football landscape. Interestingly, this comes on the heels of an announcement by the football association on Friday, signaling a significant change for the upcoming season. Teams will now be permitted to include ten foreign players in their squad, up from the previous limit of eight, out of a total of 25 players. However, there's a stipulation that two of these foreign players must have been born in 2003 or later.
This alteration aims to provide Saudi Arabian clubs with increased flexibility to attract international talent. Despite this adjustment, a restriction persists, limiting the matchday squad to a maximum of eight foreign players. As the football dynamics in Saudi Arabia undergo transformation, these recent developments underscore the evolving challenges and opportunities within the country's football landscape.
