Karim Benzema has reached an agreement to terminate his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal just six months after arriving in Riyadh.
The 38-year-old former France international joined Al-Hilal in February 2026 following a turbulent departure from his previous club, but his spell in the Saudi capital is already coming to an end according to French sports daily L'Equipe.
The decision comes despite Benzema maintaining a strong scoring record during his brief stint at the club, having scored nine goals in 13 appearances across all competitions. Just ten days prior to the agreement, the veteran striker had publicly insisted that there was no question of him leaving Al-Hilal.
However, Al-Hilal appear to be moving forward without him. The former Real Madrid star was absent from the squad on Friday during Al-Hilal's 5-1 victory over Al-Khaleej, with the club already preparing for the remainder of the season in his absence. The announced arrival of Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli is reported to have played a key role in accelerating Benzema's departure.
Options for Future Moves
Despite reaching the age of 38, the striker who was born in Bron in the Lyon suburbs has no intention of retiring from professional football and is currently evaluating several offers.
Reports in Spain suggest that a return to Al-Ittihad is under consideration, while another Riyadh-based team, Al-Shabab, has also emerged as a potential destination within the Saudi Pro League. However, there are currently no discussions regarding a move to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, ending hopes among fans of seeing the former Real Madrid attacking partners reunite.
Benzema is expected to remain in Saudi Arabia regardless of his next club destination. He is under contract to continue his role as an official ambassador for the Saudi Pro League until 2030, keeping him closely tied to football development in the kingdom.
Career Background and Context
Benzema gained international acclaim during a 14-year career at Real Madrid, where he scored 354 goals, won five UEFA Champions League titles, and received the Ballon d'Or in 2022 as the world's top player. He previously developed through the youth ranks at Olympique Lyonnais in France and earned 97 caps for the French national team.
After leaving Madrid in 2023, Benzema initially moved to Saudi Arabia to sign with Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad before making his mid-season transfer to Al-Hilal in February 2026. Al-Hilal are the most successful club in Saudi Arabian football, routinely competing for national titles and Asian continental honors.
The potential acquisition of Brazilian international Gabriel Martinelli reflects Al-Hilal's strategy of continuing to bring prominent global talent into the squad as they adjust their attacking options for the upcoming fixtures.
