Coach Breaks Silence on Benzema Drama After Saudi Pro League Showdown

Match context

The Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao, in charge of Al-Ittihad, issued his first public comment on the Karim Benzema saga following the Al-Ittihad vs Al-Najma game, despite the post-match press conference being cut short by an urgent meeting at the Enma Stadium. The encounter ended with a 1-0 victory for Al-Ittihad in Round 20 of the Roshn Saudi Pro League.

The press briefing for Conceicao was cancelled as he stepped into a critical session with club leadership. Reporters waited outside, hoping for clarity on Benzema’s situation and the ongoing renewal talks.

Conceicao's remarks and Benzema saga

Leaving the meeting, Conceicao addressed the media, saying he respected the press but could not discuss the matter in detail, adding that the club would address and resolve issues in the coming hours.

He continued: I cannot disclose more on Benzema’s situation, but I will do everything possible to secure good results and please the fans. Benzema had recently clashed with the club’s management and declined to participate in matches against Al Fateh and Al-Najma while renewal talks continued.

Media reports later suggested Benzema had reached an agreement with Al Hilal to join them through the end of the current season, introducing a new layer to the ongoing drama.

The club and players remain under the spotlight as transfer chatter swirls around Benzema’s future in Saudi football.
Punchline time: If rumors scored goals, this saga would be the league leader. And Conceicao’s press conferences are so brief you’d miss them if you blink.