Karim Benzema has reportedly left Al Hilal after the French striker and the Saudi Pro League club agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent. The footballer joined Al Hilal in February 2026 after leaving Saudi rivals Al Ittihad.
Benzema joined Al Hilal in February 2026 after leaving Saudi rivals Al Ittihad. During his stint with Al Hilal, he made 16 appearances, scoring 10 goals and 5 assists. Despite delivering a good performance, his position within Al Hilal has come to an end.
Why did Karim Benzema leave Al Hilal?
Benzema's departure from Al Hilal is reportedly connected to the club's changing sporting plans. Head coach Simone Inzaghi was no longer relying on the veteran striker as a central part of his long-term project, while the club continued to strengthen its attacking options. The arrival of Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa increased competition for the central striker position. Other attacking additions, including Gabriel Martinelli and Crysencio Summerville, also contributed to a shift in Benzema's role within the team.
Due to the changes, Karim and Al Hilal decided that a mutual termination was the best solution.
What's next for Benzema?
Following Benzema's Al Hilal exit, the biggest question is now where he will play next or whether he will consider retiring from football.
A prominent Saudi journalist, Waleed Al Farraj, dropped a bombshell over Benzema's future, hinting at retirement. Speaking on his programme 'Rotana Sport With Waleed,' he said, "Benzema was presented with several options, including a move to Al-Shabab or a return to Al-Ittihad, but he rejected both options, and when the decision came into his hands, he indicated that he was leaning towards retiring from football."
"Benzema has a fundamental contract that is not related only to playing football, but is also linked to his work as an ambassador for Saudi tourism and as an ambassador for the Kingdom's file for the 2034 World Cup, and therefore retirement may be an option on the table for him to preserve these roles," Waleed added. He further stated that Al Hilal reached a good agreement with Benzema regarding his salary.
Benzema has yet to share an official statement regarding his departure from Al Hilal.
**(Feature Image Credits: Karim Benzema Instagram)**ALSO READ | Saudi Arabia: Footballers Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane performs Umrah; Watch video
Follow the story
