Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema believes Kylian Mbappe must learn to play as a central striker in the Spanish capital because he cannot displace Vinicius Junior on the left wing.
Benzema pounced on a poor clearance to fire home from close range after 55 seconds and break Al Fateh striker Doris Salomo Fuakuputu's record set in the first final in 2013.
Al-Ittihad offered to loan the French striker to another club in the Saudi Pro League but he has refused, the source added.
Darmanin, a tough-talking right-winger with designs on the French presidency, criticised Benzema after the former France striker and 2022 Ballon d'Or winner posted on X (formerly Twitter) in mid-October in support of the inhabitants of Gaza, who, he claimed, were victims of "unjust bombardments" carried out by Israel in retaliation for the bloody Hamas attack of October 7.
When Karim Benzema joined Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad this year on a lucrative deal, a comfortable pre-retirement stint seemed assured for the Ballon d'Or winner.
Brazilian Romarinho, N'Golo Kante and Benzema scored in the first half to book their team's place in the second round.
Karim Benzema was lured by Saudi Arabia's "huge project" and the fact it is a Muslim country when he decided to end a trophy-laden stint with Real Madrid to move to Al-Ittihad, the French striker said on Wednesday.
Saudi media reported that Ballon d'Or winner Benzema, who did not score in their first two league matches, was annoyed with the way the Portuguese coach had treated him
Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in January to play for Riyadh-based Al-Nassr is what first drew global attention to ongoing efforts to boost the Saudi Pro League.
Real Madrid secured a 35th La Liga title on Saturday with four games to spare after a 4-0 home win over Espanyol fuelled by two goals from Rodrygo.
In attempting to defend a lacklustre performance from Saturday's stalemate at Atletico Madrid, Zidane turns the spotlight once more on the misfiring Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema admits that he has no hope of playing at the World Cup next year as long as Didier Deschamps remains as France coach.
Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to rekindle some of the magic they once served up under Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday when they face their old coach in the latest edition of Real Madrid's rivalry with Bayern Munich.
Frozen-out star forward Karim Benzema wants showdown talks with France coach Didier Deschamps about his international future and said Thursday he hasn't given up hope of a recall.
Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid made light of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale's absence to move back to the top of La Liga with a 4-1 win at Eibar on Saturday.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Serena believes Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema hold the key to Los Blancos' hopes of beating Atletico in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone hails Antoine Griezmann as "one of the best three players in the world" as Atletico prepare to face local rivals Real Madrid in next Saturday's Champions League final.
French footballer Karim Benzema is appearing before a judge in connection with a sex tape blackmail plot involving another player.
Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid cancelled each other out at Parc des Princes to ensure top spot in Champions League Group A remains very much up for grabs.
