Karim Benzema 'storms out of training' in latest Al Ittihad row

Karim Benzema is said to have stormed out of an Al Ittihad training session on Monday, having refused to take on board the instructions of manager Marcelo Gallardo.

The Frenchman's future in Saudi Arabia was questioned throughout the January transfer window, with speculation heightened when he failed to return to training on time from a mid-season break.

It was quickly established that Benzema had genuinely been stranded in Mauritius due to a cyclone warning, but rumours of discontent over life in the Middle East have continued to dominate gossip columns around the world.

Chelsea and Manchester United were both linked with a move for the 36-year-old former Ballon d'Or winner, but revealed that Saudi dealmakers were keen for Benzema to stay at Al Ittihad until at least the summer, with further talks planned over finding a positive resolution.

However, just a week after the closing of the January window, Benzema is said to have walked out of a training session after Gallardo ordered him to train alone. Leading Spanish publication , who have close ties to his former club Real Madrid, further report that Al Ittihad are 'furious' at the situation, which saw him omitted from the matchday squad to face Al Tai.

Benzema spent 14 years on the books of Real Madrid after graduating from Lyon's academy, becoming one of the most decorated footballers of all time. He scored an astonishing 354 goals in all competitions for Madrid, winning 25 major trophies including five UEFA Champions Leagues.

His 44-goal haul during 2021/22 led to a first Ballon d'Or win of his career — comprehensively beating second-place Sadio Mane by 356 voting points — but he opted to bring the curtain down on his career in the Spanish capital 12 months later by taking