Karim Benzema has dropped a bombshell at Al-Ittihad. The 38-year-old striker has refused to play in Thursday’s Saudi Pro League match against Al-Fateh, stepping back from the squad while a contract renewal dispute explodes into the open. The flashpoint, according to club sources and reports, is a new deal the player views as inadequate — including a proposal built largely around image rights rather than a standard salary package.

The decision could not come at a trickier time. Al-Ittihad are sixth in the Saudi Pro League and need direction with two games in quick succession: Al-Fateh on Thursday and Al-Najma on Sunday. The club sees Benzema as the face of the project they began building when he arrived on a free transfer from Real Madrid in 2023. He is under contract until the summer of 2026, but for now, he has stepped away “until further notice,” and the tension with management is real.

This is about more than one matchday. It is about status, trust, and the balance between football and business. In Saudi Arabia, star signings often come with big commercial packages. But when a player feels the football part is being undervalued, the relationship can wobble fast.

Inside the Al-Ittihad contract dispute: image rights and value

Sources close to the talks say the renewal offer put too much emphasis on image rights and not enough on improved terms. In simple words: lots of marketing, not enough money. For a player of Benzema’s standing — a Ballon d’Or winner and Real Madrid legend — that can feel like a slight. It is no wonder the player’s camp sees the proposal as falling short.

Al-Ittihad’s stance is that they want him to stay and to keep building the attack around him. But the dispute has reached a point where Benzema has chosen to sit out until the club addresses his concerns. That is a strong move from a veteran who knows his worth and his leverage.

“If your ‘renewal’ is just image rights, you’re not renewing the player — you’re renting the brand.”

What Benzema has said about his future

In recent comments about his life in Saudi Arabia, Benzema reminded everyone why he came in the first place. “For a long time, even before my football career began, I had always aspired to come here. Moreover, it’s a Muslim country. From the start, I felt welcomed and embraced.” That personal connection matters to him.

He also spoke about how he wants talks handled: “We’ll see what unfolds and what the club’s perspective is. I prefer direct communication to understand their stance. Ideally, I would like continue here but not for one two more years; that’s not my intention.”

And on outside interest? He did not deny it: “It’s accurate I have from Europe I need evaluate everything, make a wise choice, and determine where I feel most comfortable.” The message is simple: he wants clarity, and he wants respect for the level he brings — in sporting terms and financial terms.

“This isn’t just about a pay bump. It’s about respect for a Ballon d’Or body of work.”

Al-Ittihad’s season and the stakes in the Saudi Pro League

At sixth in the table, Al-Ittihad have work to do. Benzema’s leadership, even at 38, remains vital — for goals, yes, but also for the way opponents defend deeper when he plays. Removing him from the matchday plan, even for a short spell, changes the team’s rhythm and the way they attack.

That is why the timing is painful: Al-Fateh on Thursday is a chance to correct course, and Al-Najma on Sunday adds more pressure on squad depth. The club has insisted they believe Benzema wants to stay in Saudi Arabia. But getting him back on the pitch will require more than belief. It will require a deal that matches his expectations.

European interest for 2026–27 and a Juventus nudge

Even with his contract running to 2026, European clubs are already lining up scenarios for the 2026–27 season. That is normal when a superstar nears the final year of a deal. The player’s line that he has options from Europe should focus minds in Jeddah.

There has even been a friendly tap on the shoulder from Turin. “If he wishes to join us, we would be thrilled,” stated Khéphren Thuram when asked about a potential Juventus move. No one is saying this is imminent, but the door is not closed. Clubs across Europe know Benzema’s class has not disappeared, even as he manages his minutes at 38.

“If Juve are already flirting, Al-Ittihad can’t lowball him and hope it blows over.”

Why this standoff matters beyond one player

This dispute is a test case for the Saudi Pro League’s second wave of stars. The first wave was about statement signings. The second is about keeping those stars happy with day-to-day football realities: coaching, clarity, and contracts that feel fair. If offers lean too heavily on commercial rights, the football part can feel secondary to the talent on the pitch.

Benzema’s situation will be watched closely by other big names. If Al-Ittihad find a quick, respectful solution, it sends a message that elite players can settle long term in the league. If not, it fuels the idea that Europe will always be the safe harbor when a star feels undervalued.

What happens next

Short term, the clock is ticking ahead of Al-Fateh and Al-Najma. The club will either reach a new understanding with Benzema or brace for more matches without their talisman. The player, for his part, has been clear that he plans to continue playing — the question is where, and on what terms.

Long term, this is simple. The best way to protect Al-Ittihad’s project is to align on a deal that fits Benzema’s status. He is not asking for the moon; he is asking for a package that reflects his value, not just his image. Resolve that, and the football can do the talking again.

For now, a single choice defines the story: a club icon has said “no” until it feels right. That is a strong line in the sand — and a reminder that even legends need more than a handshake and a photo op to keep playing at the top.