Karim Benzema fumed at a female journalist following Al-Ittihad's 2-0 defeat to Al-Nassr on Friday night. Cristiano Ronaldo once again took centre stage, linking up with former Liverpool star Sadio Mane in the first half to preserve their side's perfect start to the season and move three points clear of Benzema and company in the Saudi Pro League.
The Middle East has become a haven for ageing footballers who once enjoyed great success in Europe but still want to compete at a respectable level as they enter the twilight of their careers. When Ronaldo made the switch to Al-Nassr at the start of 2023, an exodus of talent soon followed - including Benzema, his former Real Madrid strike partner.
At first glance, Benzema’s move seemed like a chance to extend his career in a less demanding environment while collecting a lucrative final payday without the added fuss. Recent events, however, suggest the latter to not be the case. The 37-year-old, who has shown visible frustration after defeats in the past, was filmed lashing out at a journalist who was only trying to share a light-hearted exchange.
Karim Benzema Fumes at Female Journalist
Karim Benzema
An awkward viral video doing the rounds this weekend shows a female journalist trying to get Benzema to take part in a trend which involves getting celebrities and footballers to sign funny pictures of themselves. Aimed at producing a smile from the Frenchman, though, the attempts had the opposite effect.
Benzema appeared visibly seething when handed the photo. "You think you're trying to be funny or what?" he pointedly questioned the woman, who replied, "No, it's just a trend." Unimpressed by the exchange, the 37-year-old walked away - but not before delivering a final remark (watch the full incident below):
"Take your trend and take your pen."
Benzema’s only other Saudi Pro League appearance this season came in a 7-1 win over Al-Wehda, where he scored a hat-trick. However, the recent defeat to Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr suggests Al-Ittihad may struggle to keep pace with the league’s more established sides.
His next test comes in the AFC Champions League group stage against UAE outfit Shabab Al-Ahli - a competition where Saudi Pro League clubs are widely expected to dominate the latter rounds after their heavy investment in the transfer market.