Despite being suspected of being forced back to Europe, Karim Benzema has returned to training at Al Ittihad and was spotted smiling alongside his team-mates.

Karim BenzemaPhoto: Jose Breton/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Editorial/Profimedia

Karim Benzema was stranded in Mauritius for 17 days due to a cyclone

Karim Benzema, who joined Al Ittihad in the summer of 2023, played 15 matches in the first league of Saudi Arabia.

2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema scored 9 goals and provided 5 assists for Al Ittihad, but during the competitive break this winter, the Frenchman caused panic in Saudi Arabia.

The 36-year-old forward missed training for two weeks, but finally returned the other day.

Benzema was initially thought to be interested in a return to European football and a move back to France to Lyon was rumored to be in the works.

However, Benzema was reportedly late for his team’s training as he was stranded for 17 days in Mauritius due to a cyclone.

Karim returned to Al Ittihad training on Monday and trained with his teammates as usual.

Despite featuring the likes of Fabinho, N’Golo Kante and Benzema, Al Ittihad are only 7th in Saudi Arabia, 25 points behind leaders Al Hilal.