Karim Benzema returns from injury and starts for Al-Ittihad

French forward Karim Benzema has returned to the starting lineup for Saudi side Al-Ittihad after an absence of 6 games.

The former Real Madrid marksman was sidelined due to injury for quite an extended period and his absence from the team even led some fans to question the reason behind signing a 35-year-old who had struggled with fitness in his final season in Spain.

Now, however, he is back, and manager Nuno Espirito Santo dropped him straight back into the starting XI for the game against Al-Ahli. He currently has 3 goals and 2 assists in the Saudi Pro League.

Benzema falls down the fans’ pecking order

Benzema, who recently tweeted his delight, joy and unwavering support for his “friends and fans” in Saudi for their 2034 World Cup bid, is the focal point of the construction being built at Al-Ittihad, with players such as Fabinho and Kanté also coming in. However, given the Ballon d’Or holder’s absence, longer-serving figures such as Abderrazak Hamdallah, nicknamed ‘The Executioner’, have taken centre stage in the side and are remaining the fans’ favourites.

In a shock move, Al-Alhi also spent heavily during the summer window, bringing in talent from all across Europe. As with much of the league, the team is nothing like that of last season, and boasts players such as Firmino, Saint-Maximin, Mahrez, Kessié, Roger Ibáñez and Gabri Veiga.

His injury was always strange, with the player doing media duties as normal before the game against OKMK, and then mysteriously dropping out of the side, unable to play due to physical issues with no official confirmation from the club as to what exactly had happened to the player.

Anyway, the good news is that Benz is back, and we’re all glad to see it. I have no idea how the poor soul coped for 6 games without playing. Well, I suppose pocketing a reported $220 million over two years helps a little.