The Brazilian Marcelo Camacho, former player of Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, criticized the management style of Al-Ittihad club in handling the contract renewal of the French player Karim Benzema, considering that what is happening does not befit the player's history.

Karim Benzema was absent from Al-Ittihad's recent match against Al-Fateh due to a personal decision, in protest against the offer made to him for renewing his contract, which expires at the end of the current season.

In statements to the Saudi sports newspaper, Camacho emphasized that Benzema is not an ordinary player, but a Ballon d'Or winner, one of Real Madrid's legends, and one of the most prominent strikers in modern football.

Camacho criticized the offer from Al-Ittihad, pointing out that relying solely on image rights and endorsements without including a fixed salary diminishes the value of a player of Karim Benzema's caliber and history.

He explained that the issue is not just about money, but also about status and institutional recognition, considering that this type of offer is rare and illogical for a player with an exceptional career.

Benzema, who entered the free period this January, decided to temporarily refrain from participating with the team, opting instead for individual training in protest of the current situation.

It is noted that Karim Benzema joined Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023, coming from Real Madrid, with a contract extending for three seasons until June 2026.