Athletic learned about the cancellation of Nike shooting with the owner of the Golden ball

American sports brand Nike has canceled planned shooting of ads featuring the former striker of Real Madrid and the French national team Karim Benzema, reports The Athletic, the sports section of The New York Times.

Filming was supposed to take place on Thursday, September 24, in London, but on Wednesday it was decided to cancel. Sources told The Athletic that Nike conducted a more detailed background check and concluded that his past does not correspond to the values of the brand. Sources did not specify which episodes caused the cancellation.

In a statement, the company said: This project does not reflect the broader relationship between the athlete and Nike. We regret that the negotiations have gone so far.”.

According to The Athletic, Nike himself came to the player with an offer to participate, and not vice versa. Benzem ended his contract with Adidas.

The reason for the cancellation, according to the source, was the conviction of Benzem. In 2021, he was found guilty of complicity in an attempt to blackmail his former French teammate Mathieu Valbuin of an intimate video and sentenced to one year in prison probation and a fine of €75,000. This scandal excluded Benzem from the national team for five years.

On August 31, Saudi al-Hilal announced the termination of the contract with Benzema. The 38-year-old is now a free agent. He is also a former Real Madrid player. As part of the Spanish club, the striker won the Champions League five times, became the champion of Spain four times and won the Cup of the country three times.

In 2022, he won the Golden Ball as the best footballer in the world.