A short, eventful chapter has come to an abrupt close. Karim Benzema and Al Hilal have terminated his contract with immediate effect, according to Fabrizio Romano, leaving the 38-year-old Frenchman facing one of the biggest decisions of his career: retirement, another Saudi club, or nothing at all.
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A Six-Month Spell That Ended in Friction
Benzema joined Al Hilal in January 2026 after tearing up his contract with Al Ittihad, but tensions grew steadily behind the scenes. The Ballon d’Or winner reportedly clashed with head coach Simone Inzaghi over playing time and was left frustrated after being substituted against Al Faisaly, while club hierarchy pushed for his exit partly to manage the league’s strict foreign player quota.
Benzema: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Karim Benzema |
| Age | 38 |
| Former Club | Al Hilal |
| Time at Club | ~6 months |
| Reported Termination Fee | ~€17 million |
| Goals/Assists at Al Hilal | 9-10 goals, 5-9 assists |
| Options Ahead | Retirement or another Saudi club |
| European Return | Ruled out |
A Storied Career Nearing Its End
Benzema’s Saudi adventure began after leaving Real Madrid in 2023, where he scored 354 goals across 14 seasons, won five Champions League titles and claimed the 2022 Ballon d’Or. His departure from Al Hilal comes just as the club unveiled Ollie Watkins as his likely successor.
What’s Next
Romano confirmed Benzema will announce his decision soon, with retirement appearing the most likely outcome barring a fresh Saudi offer. Fans can follow official updates via the Saudi Pro League official website.
For more football retirement news and transfer updates, check out our Football section on TechnoSports.
