Karim Benzema Set to Leave Al-Hilal After Saudi Pro League Move

Karim Benzema is preparing to leave Al-Hilal only six months after joining the Saudi Pro League club, with his next move expected to be decided in the coming days. The 38-year-old Ballon d’Or winner still has a year remaining on his contract, but several offers are reportedly available and retirement is not currently under consideration.

The possible departure follows a short but productive spell in Riyadh. Benzema arrived at Al-Hilal after two and a half years at Al-Ittihad, where his relationship with the club had deteriorated. He left Al-Ittihad after terminating his contract with six months still to run, having been involved in a dispute over a proposed extension that did not meet his expectations.

His move to Al-Hilal was completed on the final day of the transfer window after an initial agreement had been reached. The transfer was temporarily complicated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s dispute with Al-Nassr. Ronaldo refused to play for his club because of Benzema’s expected move to Al-Hilal, while the situation also affected a possible transfer involving N’Golo Kanté. Benzema eventually completed the switch and joined Al-Hilal’s squad.

He made an immediate impact. On his Al-Hilal debut, Benzema scored a hat-trick in a 6-0 victory away to Al-Okhdoud during the 21st round of the Saudi Pro League. The performance provided a strong opening to his second Saudi club and showed that he remained capable of deciding matches at the highest level available in the competition.

Across 16 appearances for Al-Hilal, Benzema recorded 10 goals and five assists. He was left out of the squad for the 5-1 win over Al-Khaleej, when young forward Kader Meïté started and scored. Benzema’s absence came despite his strong overall figures since arriving, and it added to the uncertainty surrounding his position as Al-Hilal prepares to reshape its attack.

Al-Hilal is close to adding two major attacking options, with Ollie Watkins expected to arrive from Aston Villa for €60 million and Gabriel Martinelli set to join from Arsenal for €70 million. Those moves would increase competition for places in the forward line and form part of the background to Benzema’s reported decision to seek another challenge.

A return to Al-Ittihad has been mentioned as one possible route, while Al-Shabab is another Saudi option. A move outside Saudi Arabia is also possible. Benzema has not indicated that he wants to stop playing, and his reported view is that he can still meet the physical demands of elite football. His record at Al-Hilal supports that position, with goals and assists continuing despite his age.

The next move will also shape the final phase of a career that includes 97 France appearances and 37 international goals. Benzema has opened the door to a return to the national team for the 2026 World Cup, although no recall has been made. He has also spoken about remaining at a high level for two more years and has kept open the possibility of returning to Lyon, the club where his senior career began.

For the Saudi Pro League, Benzema’s situation underlines the speed with which leading clubs are rebuilding their squads. His arrival at Al-Hilal produced an immediate sporting return, but the club is now preparing for further high-profile additions. For Benzema, the issue is no longer whether he will continue playing, but which project can offer the right role after a brief and turbulent stay in Riyadh.