Benzema clashes with his coach in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian publication Asharq Al-Awsat claims to have learned from multiple 'well-informed sources' that Benzema and Espirito Santo are at odds with each other. 

The Portuguese coach reportedly expressed to the club management earlier that he would prefer not to have Benzema on the team, as he doesn't fit well with his playing style.

Benzema is said to have demanded the captain's armband due to his status, but his coach opted to make Brazilian player Romárinho (and later Ahmed Sharahili) the captain. This allegedly led to an uncomfortable situation within the Al-Ittihad squad. Benzema feels he is being treated unprofessionally.

Therefore, according to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Frenchman has already raised the issue with the club management. He hopes that a solution will be found soon for the situation that has arisen. In his first six matches with the Saudi club, Benzema contributed with three goals and two assists.