The former winner of the “Golden Ball” again has problems in Saudi Arabia. Karim Benzema did not show up for the team meeting, and the coach decided to leave him in the squad for the meeting in Dubai.

Karim Benzema delayed Al Ittihad match due to cyclone

Al Ittihad called a pre-season meeting for Friday January 12 at the club’s headquarters in Jeddah, but star player Karim Benzema was absent.

The coach of the Argentinian team, Marcelo Gallardo, decided not to make concessions, and the Frenchman will not go with his colleagues to the Emirates, to a meeting in Dubai.

The forward is considered a repeat offender, having missed three training sessions at the end of last year before the official Christmas break.

Five months after arriving in Saudi Arabia, Benzema has failed to live up to expectations, with fans increasingly criticizing him for falling short of Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nasr.

Reigning champions Al Ittihad are only seventh this season, 25 points behind leaders Al Hilal.

According to sources from the player’s entourage, Karim Benzema did not show up for the team meeting because he was stuck in Mauritius due to a cyclone, reports Marca.