Nike cancels Karim Benzema advertising shoot after reviewing player’s past

Nike has cancelled a London photoshoot for an advertising campaign featuring Karim Benzema, saying the former Real Madrid forward’s past was inconsistent with the brand’s values.

The shoot had been scheduled for Thursday. The Athletic, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that Nike had carried out a more detailed review of Benzema’s history before deciding to withdraw from the project.

The sources did not provide further information about the specific aspects of Benzema’s past that contributed to the decision.

In a statement to The Athletic, Nike said: “This project does not reflect a broader relationship between the player and Nike. We regret that the negotiations reached this stage.”

Benzema, who is 38, was previously convicted of complicity in an attempted blackmail plot linked to a sex-tape scandal involving his former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

The case affected his international career and prevented him from representing France for five years while the proceedings continued.

In 2021, the Versailles court gave Benzema a one-year suspended prison sentence and fined him €75,000 after finding him guilty of complicity in an attempt to blackmail Valbuena in 2015.

The striker began his career wearing Nike boots during his time with French club Lyon, but switched to adidas in 2007. He remained with the German sportswear company for the rest of his career, and adidas produced a signature boot for him after he won the Ballon d’Or in 2022.

However, a source at adidas confirmed that Benzema’s contract with the company has now ended and that the player is considering different options.

Benzema has been without a club since the summer transfer window after terminating his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.

He has not announced plans to retire from football, although it remains unclear how much longer he intends to continue playing.