French striker Karim Benzema sealed a dramatic mid-season switch from Al Ittihad to crosstown rivals Al Hilal on Monday, departing the Jeddah club after stalled contract talks and joining the league leaders to chase further honours under Simone Inzaghi.
The 38-year-old Ballon d’Or recipient, who arrived in Saudi Arabia in summer 2023 following a storied spell at Real Madrid, had grown disenchanted at Ittihad, where extension negotiations faltered over a proposal limited to image rights without a base salary—terms his representatives viewed as insulting.
He had sought exclusion from recent squads and conducted solo training sessions amid the impasse.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano broke the news, declaring: “Karim Benzema signs in as new Al Hilal player from Al Ittihad, HERE WE GO!”
He added: “Former Ballon d’Or leaves Al Ittihad to join Inzaghi’s project at Al Hilal with immediate effect. Benzema agreed on all terms tonight.”
At Real Madrid, Benzema notched 354 goals across 648 matches, lifting multiple Champions League trophies and claiming the 2022 Ballon d’Or, before his high-profile move east.
Al Hilal, perched atop the Saudi Pro League standings, recruited the veteran to fortify their attack in pursuit of domestic supremacy and AFC Champions League glory.
Inzaghi, the Italian tactician who assumed command in June 2025 on a two-year pact after departing Inter Milan, brings a wealth of European pedigree to the Riyadh outfit.
Despite the upheaval, Benzema has sustained top-tier output in the kingdom, adding firepower to a star-laden roster as Saudi football continues its ambitious influx of global talent.
