Nike cancel ad featuring Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema due to controversial past

Nike cancel ad featuring Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema due to controversial past Nike have cancelled the filming of an advert featuring Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema (38) following the decision of the famous American brand not to associate their image with that of the French striker, reports The Athletic . According to the publication, investigations into the Al-Hilal player’s controversial past led Nike to conclude that Benzema did not share the values of the brand. “This project does not reflect a broader relationship between the athlete and Nike. We regret that discussions have gone this far,” the company said in a statement. Whilst no details regarding the specific reasons for this withdrawal have been disclosed, Benzema’s career has notably been marred by the blackmail scandal involving a sex tape of his team-mate Mathieu Valbuena, for which the 38-year-old was, in 2021, given a one-year suspended prison sentence, a €75k fine and was excluded by Didier Deschamps from the French national team for five years. GFFN  |  Léo Aschi