Karim Benzema storms out of Al-Ittihad training session after refusing to follow manager Marcelo Gallardo's orders... with the striker DROPPED for their Saudi Pro League match tonight

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Karim Benzema stormed out of an Al-Ittihad training session on Monday and was subsequently axed from the squad for Wednesday night's Saudi Pro League clash with Al-Tai. 

Manager Marcelo Gallardo had ordered Benzema to train alone but the striker refused his instruction and walked out, as per MARCA. 

On Tuesday Benzema was pictured training at the club's facilities, but only with the injured players. 

Relations between Benzema and the club have soured after he returned to training from the mid-season break 17 days late, leaving his employers 'furious'. 

A source said they couldn't even establish contact with him for 10 days as he holidayed in Mauritius, although he was reportedly stuck there initially due to a cyclone. 

Karim Benzema stormed out of an Al-Ittihad training session on Monday amid rising tensions

Marcelo Gallardo had ordered him to train alone and has left Benzema out of his squad tonight

He was then excluded from the club's training camp after failing to impress Gallardo.  

Benzema had crunch talks with the club's hierarchy at the start of February and was touted to leave in January due to being unsettled, but he stayed put. 

The 36-year-old former Real Madrid striker, who earns £86million per year, was linked to Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea during the window.

A rumoured move to Lyon in his native France also fell through, but Benzema is still thought to feel unsettled in the Middle East after his move last summer.

Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports said on X that Benzema is engaged in discussions with Al-Ittihad this week about clarifying future plans.

Jacobs wrote: 'Both Ittihad and wider Saudi dealmakers want him to do another season. There was never a green light (or formal request from Benzema) to leave.

'Lyon had explored bringing Benzema back but it was impossible without a massive wage cut. Ittihad sources also insist any bid would have been rejected had it arrived. No concrete EPL offers made to the Saudi champions.' 

There were rumours he would leave in January but he has remained and had crunch talks 

Despite winning the Saudi Pro League under Nuno Espirito Santo last season, Al-Ittihad have slumped to seventh in the table - 25 points off pace-setters Al-Hilal.

That's despite enormous summer investment, with Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Fabinho, and Jota signing up.