Benzema leaves Al Ittihad for Al Hilal in late-window Saudi switch | OneFootball

Karim Benzema has left Al Ittihad for Al Hilal, signing for the remainder of this season plus one more campaign. The French striker swaps Jeddah for Riyadh.

The move follows months of disagreements over a renewal at Al Ittihad, having arrived in 2023 as the Ballon d'Or holder. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, he chose a change of scene without leaving the Saudi league.

With the Public Investment Fund running the country's four leading clubs, it intervened to keep Benzema in the competition. Several European sides sounded out a deal, but Al Hilal acted decisively and secured the signing hours before the window shut.

Talks were held up for much of the day, chiefly due to Cristiano Ronaldo's opposition to seeing his long-time rival strengthen a direct competitor. Al Nassr, meanwhile, were constrained and had no room to manoeuvre in the market.

Benzema's arrival at Al Hilal was eventually cleared and sent shockwaves through the Saudi league. It represents a statement from Al Hilal in their tussle with the other title contenders.

Benzema has won 34 club trophies, including five FIFA Club World Cups, five UEFA Champions Leagues and four LaLiga titles with Real Madrid, plus four Ligue 1 crowns with Lyon. He has 97 caps for France, winning the UEFA Nations League and featuring at the World Cup. Individually, he has earned the Ballon d'Or and UEFA's Best Player in Europe award, and has topped the scoring charts in numerous international competitions.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo