Karim Benzema claims that he enjoys being part of the ‘long-term project’ of football in Saudi Arabia despite reports that the Al-Ittihad star is seeking a move away.
Last month, reports from France claimed that the former Real Madrid striker had requested to leave the club after feeling ‘under pressure’ at Al-Ittihad.
Then, on Monday, Benzema stormed out of an Al-Ittihad training session and was subsequently axed from the squad for Wednesday night’s Saudi Pro League clash with Al-Tai.
Speaking to GQ Middle East, Benzema said: ‘It [being in Saudi] is a new challenge [and one] that I like – a long-term project and in a Muslim country.
Karim Benzema claims he enjoys being part of the ‘long-term project’ in Saudi Arabia
However reports had recently suggested the Frenchman had been seeking a move away
‘I’m not only a football player here in Saudi Arabia, I’m also an ambassador. I’m here to bring great European players in, in the near future, even if there are already great ones in the Saudi league. Our challenge is to raise it to the same level of the European Leagues.
‘Time will tell [what happens next] but it will be myself who chooses when my career will end or not.
‘Ultimately, I would like to be remembered as someone who started from the bottom and worked their way up to the top alone, and despite all the obstacles I have faced. That is something that makes me truly proud.’
Benzema’s future in Saudi Arabia looked uncertain earlier this week, after reports that he stormed out of a first-team training session.
As per MARCA, Manager Marcelo Gallardo had ordered Benzema to train alone but the striker refused his instruction and walked out.
On Tuesday, Benzema was pictured training at the club’s facilities, but only with the injured players.
Relations between Benzema and the club have soured after he returned to training from the mid-season break 17 days late, leaving his employers ‘furious’.
The Ballon d’Or winner also hinted at retirement as he claimed ‘only time will tell’ for his career
A source said they couldn’t even establish contact with him for 10 days as he holidayed in Mauritius, although he was reportedly stuck there initially due to a cyclone.
Benzema had crunch talks with the club’s hierarchy at the start of February and was touted to leave in January due to being unsettled, but he stayed put.
The 36-year-old former Real Madrid striker, who earns £86million per year, was linked to Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea during the window.
A rumoured move to Lyon in his native France also fell through, but Benzema is still thought to feel unsettled in the Middle East after his move last summer.
