Overview
- Al‑Hilal and Karim Benzema announced on Monday that they had mutually agreed to terminate his contract, making the 38‑year‑old a free agent.
- The club completed the signing of Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa the day before Benzema’s exit, a move that reporting links to a change in tactical direction under new coach Simone Inzaghi.
- Benzema posted a public farewell thanking the club and supporters after scoring 10 goals and providing five assists in 16 appearances for Al‑Hilal during his brief spell.
- Accounts differ on his next step with some journalists saying he is leaning toward retirement while other outlets report concrete offers from Major League Soccer and other Saudi teams, and an ambassador deal through 2030 may limit certain moves.
- Benzema’s exit frees a foreign‑player slot for Al‑Hilal and highlights how Saudi clubs are reshaping attacking lines by signing younger internationals, while his wider Saudi tenure since 2023 shows how lucrative contracts and league arrangements can complicate transfers.