Karim Benzema ‘could retire’ after Al-Hilal contract terminated | OneFootball

Karim Benzema has left Al-Hilal with immediate effect after his contract was terminated, and he is weighing his next move, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 38-year-old joined Ittihad from Real Madrid in 2023, then switched to rivals Al-Hilal in January 2026. Six months later he is a free agent and may already have played his final match.

He will confirm his plans soon, with retirement or another Saudi club among the options. A return to Europe is not on the table.

The update coincided with Ollie Watkins’ presentation at Al-Hilal. It is unclear whether his arrival relates to Benzema’s exit. The 30-year-old joined Villa in 2020 and scored 91 Premier League goals for the Birmingham club.

Al-Hilal are paying around 60 million euros for Watkins, who will line up alongside Crysencio Summerville, the Netherlands international who moved from England earlier this summer.

Benzema was long regarded at Real as one of the world’s top strikers and, after Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2018 departure to Juventus, he stepped out of his shadow. He scored 354 goals for Real and was central to a haul that included five Champions Leagues, four league titles and the Ballon d’Or.

Source: Goal.com

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