Karim Benzema leaves Al-Hilal after just six months

Karim Benzema’s spell at Al-Hilal has ended after only six months. The Saudi club said it and the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner had mutually agreed to terminate his contract, leaving the 38-year-old free to sign elsewhere.

Al-Hilal praised Benzema’s contribution and his professionalism, commitment and leadership on and off the field. The club also thanked him for his time in its colors and wished him success in the next stage of his career.

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A chapter closes... I am grateful to Al Hilal, my teammates, the staff, the supporters and everyone at the club for the moments we shared. I wish Al Hilal much success for the future.

Benzema joined Al-Hilal from Al-Ittihad and played 16 matches, scoring 10 goals. He previously represented Real Madrid and Lyon, won the Champions League five times and earned the Ballon d’Or in 2022.

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I have two years left to play football and I am giving my maximum.

His future remains uncertain. Reports cited by Le Figaro, including information from Fabrizio Romano, say Benzema is considering either retirement or a move to another Saudi club. A return to Europe or Lyon is not currently expected.

Benzema himself offered no indication of his next destination after the departure became official. “A chapter closes... I am grateful to Al Hilal, my teammates, the staff, the supporters and everyone at the club for the moments we shared. I wish Al Hilal much success for the future,” he wrote on social media. In December, he said he wanted to continue playing at the highest level for two more years. On a possible return to Lyon, he said it might be better to preserve the image he left behind and help the club in another role instead.

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It is delicate to say, ‘I want to return there,’ because I left such a beautiful image... Sometimes it is better to leave things as they are.