Karim Benzema open to Europe return, but only on his terms
Karim Benzema says a return to European football is not off the table, but any move would have to make sense for both his career and his current life in Saudi Arabia. His comments were published this week by the Spanish sports daily AS, which spoke with the striker about how he sees the next stage of his playing days.
Benzema, now 36, left Real Madrid in 2023 after more than a decade of success that included five Champions League trophies and a long list of domestic titles.
His peak came in the 2021–22 season, when his scoring run dragged Madrid through the biggest matches of the year and earned him the Ballon d’Or. Before his Madrid years, he came out of Lyon’s academy and spent five senior seasons in France.
In the interview, Benzema confirmed that teams in Europe have reached out. “It’s true that I have offers from Europe,” he told AS, adding that he has no intention of winding down soon.
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He said the conversations with Al-Ittihad about expectations and responsibilities are ongoing, and he described the relationship as a mutual one: both sides push, and both sides compromise.
Naturally, the idea of a Real Madrid return came up — the kind of storyline fans tend to romanticize. Benzema didn’t dismiss it, but he made it clear that the decision would rest with club president Florentino Pérez.
“If Florentino is still there, it could happen,” he said, noting that he still feels deeply attached to the city and the club.
The Saudi Pro League, meanwhile, looks different from when he arrived. The level has climbed, partly due to the influx of established players.
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Al-Ittihad were champions last season, and Benzema finished as their top scorer. But the current 2024–25 campaign hasn’t been as smooth: the team is mid-table, and Benzema has missed several matches through injury.
Analysts who follow the league say the physical demands of the season — long trips, higher temperatures, and increasingly competitive fixtures — may be taking a toll. European clubs weighing a move for him would likely consider those factors, especially for a veteran forward.
Still, Benzema’s name carries weight, and late-career returns aren’t unheard of. Some point to Cristiano Ronaldo’s second Manchester United stint as an example of how big clubs occasionally revisit legendary figures when circumstances align.
For now, Benzema seems content to keep all options open without rushing into a decision. As he told AS, the next step will be one he chooses deliberately, balancing ambition with the reality of where he is in his career.
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Sources: AS, BBC Sport, ESPN, L’Équipe , Arab News / Saudi Pro League official data
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