Former Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema is considering retiring this season and will be Real Madrid's ambassador with a focus on the Middle East, according to reports.

In the year The man who will win football's most prestigious individual award in 2022 has agreed to represent his former club in an international role. Relief The 36-year-old has said there is a high chance he will retire when his Al-Ittihad contract expires in 2026.

At the end of this campaign, the club stated that Benzema had "not made a final decision" to hang up his boots, adding that he was "starting to tire" in training sessions with the Saudi Pro League club. Afternoon due to Jeddah's high morning heat.

We must take responsibility when we speak #Alhamdulillah 🤲🏼🤍 pic.twitter.com/tBVu2qmiWz

- Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 6, 2024

Benzema in Saudi Arabia

With one year left on his contract, Benzema left Madrid to join Al-Etihad on a three-year contract in 2023.

In the first season, he scored 13 goals and provided 8 assists in 29 games. Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo in November.

Former Barcelona sporting director Ramon Plans joined the nine-time champions in the same role he took on at the Spanish giants in January, and former PSG manager Laurent Blanc led them to the top of the table after replacing Argentine Marcelo Gallardo in July.

Benzema has contributed 10 goals in three games through injury. Among them was Cristiano Ronaldo's winning goal in Al-Ittihad's 2-1 win over Al-Nasr before the winter break.

Looking ahead with @Saudi2034bid 🇸🇦🏆 pic.twitter.com/Z8ZsUDaFUr

- Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 8, 2024

Benzema Real Madrid Statistics

A five-time Champions League winner in 14 years at Madrid, Benzema's 354 goals for the club makes him the second-highest goalscorer behind former team-mate Ronaldo's 451 goals.

He is said to want to settle back in Madrid and rebuild his "very good relationship" with reigning Spanish champions Florentino Perez.

In the year The 2022 World Cup runner-up with France said he sees himself as a football ambassador in Saudi Arabia and will help lure more European footballers to the league.

The report says that there is no one better than Benzema to "carry the name of Madrid on the Arab side and become a market attraction in the high economic market".

Al-Ittihad continue in the King's Cup quarter-finals against Saudi champions Al-Hilal, who are two points below them in the Premier League, on January 7 (5.30pm GMT).