Benzema is already contemplating retirement and could return to Real Madrid. The French striker is even considering that his farewell to football might come in May next year, rather than in 2026 as planned by his current club, Al-Ittihad. He has already agreed with the Spanish club on his return as an ambassador.
One of the most complex issues in sports is deciding when to retire. Many players, almost a majority, push their careers to the limit until their body or the game itself forces them off the pitch, often with the sentiment that "football retired me." However, there are others who, in great physical condition, choose to step aside before leaving in an unceremonious manner. Karim Benzema (36 years old) finds himself at this crossroads. The French striker is already considering retirement, and he doesn't rule out doing so in 2025, at the end of the current season.
Although he has not made a final decision, he admits to experiencing signs that push him towards this reflection. With a full trophy cabinet and after a season and a half at Al-Ittihad, he is starting to grow weary of daily routines, such as training sessions, which in Saudi Arabia take place in the afternoon (7:00 PM) due to the high morning temperatures. When a player reaches the twilight of their career, what drains their enthusiasm the most is the daily grind—the sacrifices that come with football beyond the 90 minutes. This is compounded by a certain mental fatigue, especially after a tough start at the club. Above all, there's the motivation to live in Madrid.
Although Al-Ittihad has become more professionalized, with Ramón Planes leading the sporting direction, the implementation of protocols, and the development of facilities and a long-term model, his arrival in Saudi Arabia last season and joining a league still taking its first steps towards greatness wasn't easy. He faced criticism for his poor initial performance [so much so that he closed his Instagram account], his coach Nuno Espírito Santo was dismissed in November, and with the replacement, Marcelo Gallardo, Benzema endured more than just a fallout, with a protest from the Argentine coach. Gallardo demanded that the club part ways with the star, but in the end, it was he who was shown the door.
However, after overcoming that turbulent first year, things have returned to normal as he has settled into a luxurious mansion. With Laurent Blanc on the bench and better adaptation to Jeddah, Benzema has found his stride. He is sharp, committed to the project (his team is leading the league), and fully engaged. He is the team's top scorer with 10 goals in 11 matches and ranks second in the race for the league's top scorer, tied with Cristiano Ronaldo and just two goals behind Mitrovic (12). However, his good form has not blinded him to the bigger picture. In recent weeks, he has internally begun discussions about his definitive farewell to football—a prospect that is also being contemplated within Al-Ittihad.
While the general belief is that he will hang up his boots in 2026, when his contract ends, rather than in 2025, the club would not entirely rule out an earlier retirement next year. On one hand, it would save the club from paying Karim’s hefty salary, which is around €100 million. On the other hand, he could remain linked to the organization and the league, earning less but appearing occasionally as a figurehead. The Frenchman is gradually transitioning into that agreed-upon role as a symbol and icon rather than just an employee. He acknowledged this shift in an interview with GQ magazine: "Here in Saudi Arabia, I am not just a footballer; I am also an ambassador. I’m here to bring in top European players in the near future, although there are already some great ones in the league. Our challenge is to elevate it to the level of the European leagues."
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A Deal with Plenty of Reasons
Benzema’s short-term future, therefore, seems focused on the Middle East. But when he looks further ahead, his plans clearly lead him back to Real Madrid. According to Relevo, the forward—Real Madrid's second-highest all-time scorer—already has an agreement with the club to serve as its global ambassador, particularly in the Arab region. This planned move is far from surprising.
First, there’s his excellent relationship with Florentino Pérez. His departure from the Bernabéu, a year earlier than the president had anticipated, did not damage a bond that extends beyond football. For Pérez, Benzema will always be his favorite "enfant," the only player he personally visited at home to secure his signing in 2009, and the same one who inspired the president to celebrate wildly, hands on his head, after one of Benzema’s goals. Furthermore, Pérez is known for welcoming club legends back into the fold. For Benzema, Florentino will always be a pivotal figure in his career—the man who knew how to reach him and empower him.
Benzema’s eventual return to Madrid would also be driven by sentimental and business reasons. The player, whenever possible, travels to Spain’s capital, where he owns a home and has built a strong personal network over the years. For Real Madrid, incorporating him into ambassadorial roles would be a strategic signing. There is no one better suited to represent the Madrid brand in Saudi Arabia and act as a marketing draw in a booming economic market that the club’s commercial and sponsorship departments are keenly eyeing.
For instance, during the last Spanish Super Cup, several members of these departments traveled with the team to meet with Saudi companies and explore potential deals. The club’s focus on this part of the world is evident in its growing list of Arab sponsors, such as The Saudi Investment Bank (SAIB), one of the country’s most prominent state-owned banks, and Fly Emirates, as well as projects like Real Madrid World, the Dubai theme park. Benzema’s presence would amplify this impact significantly.
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Thus, while the Frenchman makes the most of his remaining years of quality on the pitch, his off-field future is already taking shape—first in Saudi Arabia and then with Real Madrid.