Karim Benzema has returned to Real Madrid from his club Al Ittihad in order to continue his rehabilitation from injury.

The Frenchman has missed the Saudi Arabian club’s last two matches, having last appeared on April 20th during the 3-2 win against Al Hazm.

The forward joined the Jeddah-based club from Real Madrid in 2023, having won the Ballon d’Or the previous year.

But the 36-year-old has struggled in the middle easy, scoring 13 goals across 29 matches this term.

He was linked with a return to the Bernabeu in January, amid a reported falling out with the management in Saudi Arabia.

But Benzema has been given permission to return to his former club to continue his rehabilitation from a muscular injury.

“Karim Benzema is undergoing further examinations in Real Madrid’s clinic with his former doctor in Spain, who supervised his care in previous years,” Al Ittihad said in a statement.

“The consultations were arranged between Ittihad’s medical teams and Real Madrid regarding Benzema’s injuries, which caused him to miss key matches this season. Benzema has already left for Spain and is expected to return next week.”

Benzema’s contract at the club runs until 2026.

He earns a reported £500,000-a-week.