Benzema back at Real Madrid for injury rehab

Real Madrid are helping former player Karim Benzema in his recovery from a recurring injury, his club Al Ittihad confirmed on Thursday.

Benzema, 36, has struggled with muscular problems in his first season at the Saudi Pro League club he joined last summer as a free agent after 14 years at Real Madrid.

The forward last played in a 3-2 win at Al Hazm on April 20 and has missed the last two games.

"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."

Karim Benzema has suffered from recurring muscular injuries since signing for Al Ittihad last summer. Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images

Benzema has scored 13 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions for the Jeddah-based club.

The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner has a contract with Al Ittihad until June 2026.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, have extended the contract of highly rated forward Enzo Alves, the son of club legend Marcelo.

Enzo, 14, has featured for Madrid's academy teams since 2017 and has scored 17 goals this season for the under-15 side.

A Spain U15 player, Enzo, has signed a one-year contract extension through June 2027.

"Happy to continue in the best club in the world," the teenager said in a post on Instagram.

His father, Marcelo, congratulated his son in an Instagram post of his own: "Congratulations my son for another achievement reached. Joy, work and responsibility."