Karim Benzema, in an interview with Marca, responded to rumors about a potential career end by stating that retirement is not imminent. He mentioned that although he is currently doing well at Al-Ittihad in Djeddah, he does not rule out the possibility of returning to Real Madrid in the future. His statement leaves open whether his return would be as a player or in another role.

Relevo has reported that Karim Benzema is contemplating retirement and a return to Real Madrid. Although he has a contract with Al-Ittihad until June 30, 2026, Benzema is considering concluding his football career at the end of the 2024-2025 season. He has informed his current club of this potential decision. The player is said to be experiencing mental fatigue and is nostalgic for life in Madrid. It is reported that Benzema has reached an agreement with Real Madrid to serve as the club's ambassador globally, with a particular focus on the Arab region. Al-Ittihad is reportedly not against terminating their association with Benzema, given his substantial salary, which some sources have claimed to be 200 million euros.