Benzema's Turbulent Journey at Al-Ittihad: A Blend of Fall-Outs, Poor Work Rate, and Unmet Expectations

Former Ballon d'Or winner, Karim Benzema, who dominated the world of football with a phenomenal 14-year stint at Real Madrid, is witnessing turbulent times in his current club Al-Ittihad, where expectations of a lucrative career have turned into a daunting nightmare.

Signing for the Saudi Pro League champions in the summer after his tenure at Real Madrid, Benzema was expected to kick-start Al-Ittihad's campaign with a bang. In contrast, the club's form this season has been drastically disappointing, with Benzema enduring a struggling phase himself.

In a recent shocker, Benzema headed the ball into his own net during a game against the Uzbek side Navbahor. Although the team managed to scrape through into the next round of the AFC Champions League, Benzema found himself at the receiving end of fan mockery.

Despite boasting individual numbers of 12 goals in 22 games, fans have turned critical due to Benzema's perceived poor work rate, giving him the 'Ben-Hazima' label, translating to 'son of defeat.' This dissatisfaction has also led him to delete his Instagram account, a hint at the escalating friction.

Benzema's position at the club has further been strained with reported disagreements with both previous manager Nuno Espirito Santo and current boss Marcelo Gallardo. Both criticized him for his lack of work rate, leading to tense situations within the club.

Looking forward, despite rumors of a potential exit and Benzema's existing problems, it appears that the striker may be heading for another year in Saudi Arabia. It remains to be seen, however, whether he'll manage to turn around his fortunes and help Al-Ittihad resecure their top position in Saudi Arabian football.