Nike have cancelled a scheduled promotional shoot involving former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema after the American sportswear giant raised concerns about whether the Frenchman’s public history aligned with the company’s values, according to reports.
The filming was due to take place in London on Thursday, September 24, as part of a collaboration involving Nike and London-based streetwear brand Corteiz. However, after reviewing Benzema’s background, Nike informed his representatives on Wednesday night that the shoot would no longer go ahead.
In a statement reported by The Athletic, Nike said: “This project does not reflect a wider relationship between the athlete and Nike. We regret that conversations got this far.”
Why Nike Pulled Out of the Campaign
The decision reportedly centres on Benzema’s previous conviction for complicity in an attempted blackmail case involving former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.
Benzema was given a one-year suspended prison sentence and fined €75,000 by a French court in 2021. He was convicted over his involvement in the 2015 sex-tape blackmail case, an episode that kept him out of the France national team for several years.
Benzema has continued to deny wrongdoing. His lawyer Hugues Vigier said in 2022: “He is guilty under the law, that’s true. But judicial truth is different from reality.”
The controversy resurfaced in a commercial context after Benzema’s representatives entered discussions with Nike over the Corteiz collaboration. The arrangement reportedly included a €75,000 Nike product allowance and travel to London for the proposed shoot.
There had also been preliminary conversations about a possible broader ambassadorial role, although Nike maintained that there were no active plans for such a relationship. The company ultimately ended the collaboration before Benzema travelled to London.
A representative for Benzema told The Athletic that Nike had approached the player regarding the collaboration rather than the other way around, but declined to comment further.
Benzema’s Relationship With Nike and Adidas
Benzema’s relationship with football boot manufacturers has changed several times during his career.
He wore Nike Mercurial boots during his early years at Lyon before switching to Adidas in 2007. He remained with the German company for most of his career, including during his most successful period at Real Madrid.
Adidas even produced a signature boot for Benzema after he won the 2022 Ballon d’Or. However, that partnership has now ended, leaving the Frenchman free to explore other options.
The proposed Nike-Corteiz project would therefore have represented a significant return to the brand he wore earlier in his career.
Benzema’s Current Career Situation
Benzema spent 14 years at Real Madrid, winning five Champions League titles and 25 trophies in total before leaving the Spanish giants in 2023. He subsequently joined Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia and later moved to Al-Hilal in February 2026.
His spell at Al-Hilal lasted only six months, with both parties agreeing to terminate his contract on August 31. The 38-year-old is now a free agent.
Although his playing future remains uncertain, Benzema has not announced his retirement.
His latest commercial setback comes at a time when he is already considering what comes next, both on and off the pitch. For now, however, the proposed Nike-Corteiz collaboration has been abandoned before it could reach the cameras.
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