Waleed Al-Farraj says Benzema could retire after rejecting Saudi moves | OneFootball

According to Goal.com, media personality Waleed Al-Farraj says Karim Benzema is considering ending his playing career as his Al-Hilal exit nears. He suggested retirement is now a live option for the French striker.

Al-Farraj said several Saudi routes were explored to keep Benzema in the Roshn League. Options put to him included Al-Shabab and a return to Al-Ittihad, but he was said to have rejected both.

He added that Benzema is leaning towards retiring, a choice that could close out the career of one of his generation’s leading forwards. The decision has not been settled officially.

Al-Farraj linked a possible retirement to off-pitch commitments in the Kingdom, including his Saudi tourism ambassadorship and promotion of the 2034 World Cup bid. He suggested retirement may help preserve those roles.

He also said Al-Hilal have reached an agreement over Benzema’s dues, with Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal to cover the payment.

The Al-Hilal striker’s departure has sharpened since the club signed England’s Ollie Watkins. Benzema joined Al-Ittihad in 2023 before switching to Al-Hilal, and any retirement would follow a decorated spell that included major trophies with Real Madrid.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”