Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema has made a surprising return to the club, as confirmed by transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, citing anonymous sources.
Romano reported that Benzema has returned to Real Madrid’s training ground, Valdebebas, for further tests and injury treatment, with Al-Ittihad expressing gratitude to Madrid for their assistance in managing his injury.
Taking to his X handle Romano wrote, “Karim Benzema has returned to Real Madrid training ground Valdebebas to undergo further tests and get help with injury treatment.
“Al Ittihad confirm they’re grateful to Real Madrid for their help in managing Benzema’s injury.”
Details about the extent of Benzema’s injury are still unclear, but his brief return to Madrid will allow him to reunite with former teammates and manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti had expressed a desire for Benzema to stay at Madrid when he left almost a year ago, leaving the club without a recognized number 9 for the first time in its history.
In Benzema’s absence, attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham was converted into a false number ‘9’ by Ancelotti and became La Liga’s top scorer for most of the ongoing 2023/2024 campaign.
Benzema, who enjoyed 14 highly successful years at the Bernabeu, winning five Champions League titles and the prestigious Ballon d’Or, shocked fans when he left for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia in 2023.
Despite reports of going AWOL earlier this year, Benzema has continued to play through the Saudi Pro League season, which ends this month.
