Karim Benzema ‘to leave’ Al-Hilal six months after arrival | OneFootball

AS reports that Karim Benzema, 38, is set to leave Al-Hilal only six months after arriving.

The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner joined during the winter window from rivals Al-Ittihad and had signed through June 2027. He reached an agreement on Sunday with the club to terminate early, becoming a free agent. The report added that he is not planning to retire.

Ten days ago, after a 3-0 win at Al-Fayha, he dismissed speculation about his future and said he would stay with the team.

The imminent arrival of Gabriel Martinelli is said to have contributed to the decision. Benzema was absent from Friday's 5-1 win over Al-Khaleej.

He won the Saudi King’s Cup and scored nine goals in 13 appearances for Al-Hilal in the second half of 2025-26.

The former Lyon and Real Madrid striker now has options to assess. He will remain a Saudi Pro League ambassador until 2030, having first joined the league three years ago with Al-Ittihad.

Last December he indicated a late-career return to Lyon was unlikely, preferring possibly to help the club in another role rather than play.

Source: L'Équipe

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