Karim Benzema is back at Real Madrid!

Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema has returned to the club, as confirmed by transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, who cited undisclosed sources.

The Frenchman enjoyed 14 highly successful years at the Bernabeu, winning five Champions League titles and the Ballon d'Or footballer of the year award.

Benzema was expected to extend his contract in the Spanish capital in 2023, but he shocked everyone by leaving for Saudi Arabia, where he signed a three-year contract with Al-Ittihad.

There have been reports of Benzema going AWOL earlier in the year, but he has continued with the Saudi League season, which is nearing its end this month.

In a week where his former club drew 2-2 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, Romano reported that Benzema "has returned to Real Madrid's training ground Valdebebas for further tests and medical support for his injury."

The Italian added that Al-Ittihad "thanks" Madrid for their assistance "in managing Benzema's injury."

Details about the severity of Benzema's injury have not been disclosed, and he has been sidelined since December, missing three matches in the Middle East due to a back injury.

Nevertheless, his short return to Madrid will allow him to reunite with his former teammates and manager Carlo Ancelotti, who didn't want Benzema to leave the club almost a year ago.

Benzema's departure left Madrid without a number 9 for the first time in its rich history.

In his absence, defensive midfielder Jude Bellingham was given the makeshift number '9' by Ancelotti and led the La Liga top scorer chart for much of the ongoing 2023/2024 campaign.

Next season, it's highly likely that Benzema's partner Kylian Mbappe will take over that number.

Mbappe has informed Paris Saint-Germain that he will leave when his contract expires on June 30, and although he's expected to sign with Madrid, there's still no official announcement regarding the matter.