Olympique Lyonnais are monitoring Karim Benzema’s situation in Saudi Arabia after the former Real Madrid forward failed to turn up for Al Ittihad’s reunion.

Karim Benzema, possible return to Olympique Lyon

The former France international (97 caps, 37 goals) arrived in Saudi Arabia and Al Ittihad last summer, where he has had a busy few weeks.

He has a contract with the Saudi group until 2026, but the management of Lyon relies on good relations between the Eagle Football group, which owns Olympique Lyonnais, and officials from Saudi Arabia, writes News.ro.

“KB9” played his first match for a professional team at the age of just 17 on January 15, 2005 against Metz. He scored his first goal for Lyon the following season in the Champions League against Rosenborg (aged 17 years and 352 days).

In five seasons at Lyon, Benzema won seven titles (including four French league titles) before signing for Real Madrid, where he became a club and French football legend (25 titles, including 5 Champions Leagues) . He left last summer after 14 years at the club.

In Saudi Arabia, Benzema scored 12 goals in 20 matches. He he was absent from team meetings without reason for an internship in Dubai, from the beginning of the month. According to people close to him, quoted by Marca, the player was unable to return in time after being stranded by Cyclone Belal in Mauritius.

Meetings are planned in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss his future, says journalist Fabrizio Romano.