Benzema appears to DELETE his IG account after defeat to CR7's Al-Nassr

Karim Benzema has appeared to delete his Instagram account which has a staggering 76 million followers.

The Real Madrid legend left the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.

However, the move hasn't quite worked out as hoped so far, with his side 22 points off leaders Al-Hilal and failing to win four of their last five games in all competitions.

On Boxing Day, his former Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane both bagged a brace as Al-Nassr thumped Benzema's side 5-2.

Since yesterday's defeat, Benzema has appeared to either delete or temporarily suspend his Instagram account.

His Instagram account now comes up with a message saying the 'page isn't available' and that 'the link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed'.

Benzema, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2022, has come under scrutiny in Saudi Arabia despite bagging nine goals and four assists in 14 games.

Al-Ittihad, last season's champions, sacked their title-winning manager Nuno Espirito Santo mid-season after a row with Benzema.

As reported by Goal, the club's fans have also accused the Frenchman of being 'lazy' and 'unwilling' to his play his part in the construction of play.

A Saudi reporter meanwhile, as per talkSPORT, reported that Benzema 'makes no effort' and has 'offered nothing'.

Walid Al-Farraj said: 'The gap between Benzema and the public is growing day by day. He didn't play and never managed to make a single difference. And above all, he makes no effort, as if he were telling the audience: 'I'm just having fun with you'.

'When Ronaldo arrived in January he showed signs that he wanted to play, but Benzema offered nothing. It's like the team doesn't like him. He is uncomfortable. I don't know the reason.

Benzema signed a three-year contract with the club worth around £258m after 14 trophy-laden seasons in Madrid.

Earlier this season, he said: 'For a really long time even before football, I always wanted to come here.

'Also, it's a Muslim country. Straight away I felt this love for me. On and off the pitch I feel good. This country welcomed me with open arms. I feel the love of the people here so obviously that makes me happy.'

He added: "I really want to help Saudi football grow. [Al-Ittihad] was a project that was just starting to burst from everywhere so from my side I wanted to be part of the story. That's the reason why I came here."