Karim Benzema’s Saudi move appears to be going from bad to worse going by the nickname he has reportedly been given by his own fans.
The Real Madrid legend was one of many top European players to make the switch to the Saudi Pro League in the summer, joining Al-Ittihad in an £86m-a-year move.
There were high expectations of the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, joining a side who last season won the title, and partnered with two of the top Premier League midfielders of recent years in N’Golo Kante and Fabinho.
However, their 5-2 Boxing Day defeat by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, has left them 22 points off leaders Al-Hilal after 18 games.
According to French publication L’Equipe, Benzema’s own fans have given him the nickname ‘Ben-Hazima’ – which in Arabic translates to ‘the son of defeat’.
Al-Ittihad have suffered six defeats so far this season – already four more than they achieved across the whole of the 2022-23 season.
They are sixth in the standings and have failed to win four of their last five games in all competitions. They also suffered a disappointing early defeat from the FIFA Club World Cup after losing to Al Ahly in the second round.
