Benzema ‘to become ambassador’ as striker ‘thinks about retiring in 2025’

Former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema is considering retiring this season and will become an ambassador for Real Madrid with a focus on the Middle East, according to a report.

The man who won the most prestigious individual prize in football in 2022 has already agreed to represent his former club in a worldwide role, Relevo has said, adding that the 36-year-old is most likely to stop playing when his Al-Ittihad deal ends in 2026.

The outlet claimed that Benzema “has not made a final decision” over whether to hang up his boots at the end of this campaign, saying that he is “beginning to get tired” of training sessions with the Saudi Pro League club, which are held in the afternoon because of high morning temperatures in Jeddah.

Quand on parle, faut assumer ☄️ #alhamdulillah 🤲🏼🤍 pic.twitter.com/tBVu2qmiWz

— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 6, 2024

Benzema in Saudi Arabia

After leaving Madrid a year before the end of his contract, Benzema joined Al-Ittihad on a three-year contract in 2023.

His first season produced a return of 13 goals and eight assists in 29 matches that was low by his prolific standards as Al-Ittihad endured a turbulent 2023/24, finishing without a trophy and fifth in the top flight, as well as sacking current Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo in November.

Former Barcelona sporting director Ramon Planes joined the nine-time champions in the same role he held at the Spanish giants in January, and ex-PSG manager Laurent Blanc has led them to the top of the table since replacing Argentine Marcelo Gallardo in July.

Despite missing three matches through injury, Benzema has contributed 10 goals in 10 league games along the way, including one in a 2-1 win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in Al-Ittihad’s final match before their winter break.

Looking to the future with the @Saudi2034bid 🇸🇦🏆 pic.twitter.com/Z8ZsUDaFUr

— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 8, 2024

Benzema Real Madrid stats

A five-time Champions League winner during 14 years at Madrid, Benzema’s 354 goals for the club make him their second-highest all-time scorer behind former team-mate Ronaldo, who hit 451.

He is said to be keen to live in Madrid again and build upon his “excellent relationship” with the reigning Spanish champions’ president, Florentino Perez.

The 2022 World Cup runner-up with France has said in interviews that he sees himself as an ambassador for football in Saudi Arabia who can help entice more elite European footballers to the league.

The report says there is ” no-one better” than Benzema to “carry the name of Madrid through Arabia and be a marketing attraction in a booming economic market”.

Al-Ittihad are next in action in a King Cup quarter-final tie at reigning Saudi champions Al-Hilal, who are two points below them in the Pro League, on January 7 (5.30pm GMT).