Benzema's 1st Al Hilal interview: 'I have a lot of ambition here' | OneFootball

New Al Hilal signing Karim Benzema has signalled his intent following his deadline-day move from Al Ittihad: chiefly, he's determined to secure a second successive Roshn Saudi League title.

“Clear message - you know my mentality - I have a lot of ambition,” the reigning RSL Player of the Season told Al Hilal’s official media channel in his first interview since joining on Monday.

“I will work; I will give everything on the pitch. I will help this team and, Inshallah, bring trophies, because for me it's more important to bring trophies. And we have a good team, good fans, so together, Inshallah, we will do it.”

Already a RSL title-winner with Al Ittihad, Benzema signed a one-and-a-half-year deal at Al Hilal, the current RSL leaders, who after Matchweek 20 top the table by one point from Al Nassr. Al Hilal last lifted the RSL title in a record-breaking 2023-24 campaign.

"Good, good feelings,” Benzema said of the transfer. “I feel good. I'm happy to be here after my first training with the team and the coach.

“I'm so happy and glad to be part of this team. It's a great team with a great history; they won a lot of trophies. It's like Real Madrid here in Asia, you know."

Joining Al Ittihad in June 2023, Benzema guided the Jeddah club to a double last season, winning both the RSL and the King’s Cup. He scored 21 goals in the Saudi top flight alone, coming home third in the race for the golden boot, behind Ivan Toney (23) and eventual winner Cristiano Ronaldo (25).

In all, Benzema has made 64 appearances in the RSL, scoring 38 goals.

“Everything is good," said the Ballon d'Or winner, the second-highest scorer in Real Madrid's history. "The fans are good, [the team] plays well, they have good players and they have a good mentality. They have a good process.

“I liked this team from before. I used to play against them with Madrid - it was not an easy game; it was a good, good game. So I have good memories. And today I'm happy because now I'm a player of Al Hilal.”

Al Hilal are next in action on Thursday, with the Matchweek 21 trip to second-from-bottom Al Okhdood. Interestingly, Benzema struck a hat-trick the last time he visited Najran, in the opening round of the 2025-26 campaign.