When Karim Benzema could make his Al Ittihad debut

Karim Benzema shocked the football world by ending his 13-year association with Real Madrid to join Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad.

The former France international is one of the best players in the world and won the Ballon d'Or in 2022 by leading Los Blancos to a historic 14th Champions League success.

However, the 35-year-old's immediate future now lies in the Middle East, where he has accepted an eye-watering offer of €100m a year with other bonuses thrown in on top. He'll also expect to square off against former colleague Cristiano Ronaldo, whose Al Nassr side came up short in the Saudi Pro League title race.

Here's what we know about when Benzema could adorn the yellow and black of Al Ittihad for the first time.

When can Karim Benzema make his Al-Ittihad debut?

Al Ittihad finished the 2022/23 Saudi Pro League season at the top of the table, five points clear of Ronaldo's Al Nassr.

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Nuno Espirito Santo oversaw last season's triumph - the club's first top-flight title in 14 years - and has sketched out a pre-season schedule devoid of any friendly matches. While Benzema and his fellow star arrivals, who include N'Golo Kante and Jota, build their fitness in the mountains of Taif, fans of the Tigers will have to wait until the 2023/24 campaign gets underway to get a glimpse of their new idols.

As Saudi champions, Al Ittihad qualified for the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup, a 16-team competition between Asian and African sides which takes place across three weeks between July and August.

Benzema could make his debut when Al Ittihad's campaign begins on Thursday 27 July against ES Tunis. Another Tunisian side in CS Sfaxien and Iraq's Al Shorta complete the set of four teams in Group A. Al Ittihad could potentially play six matches if they reach the competition's final on Saturday 12 August.

However, a run that deep into the tournament would present a scheduling conundrum with the start of the Saudi Pro League. Al Ittihad begin the defence of their title on Monday 14 August against Al Raed, one of the clubs that is not owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Al Ittihad have also earned AFC Champions League qualification, another competition in which Benzema will debut. The first matchday of the group stage in 2023/24 will take place on 18-20 September.

When was Karim Benzema's last game for Real Madrid?

Benzema marked his final Real Madrid appearance with his 354th goal for the club - only Cristiano Ronaldo has ever scored more for Los Blancos.

The former France international cooly dispatched a 72nd-minute penalty to level the score against Athletic Club on Sunday 4 June 2023. Unable to defend their Champions League crown, Madrid's final La Liga match of the campaign was Benzema's last outing in the famous all white kit.

Benzema scored 19 league goals in his final La Liga season. His best haul for Madrid came in 2021/22 when he netted 44 times in all competitions and he followed that up with 31, all the while struggling with injury niggles.

READ MORE ON KARIM BENZEMA'S EXIT FROM REAL MADRID