Karim Benzema leaves Al-Hilal by mutual agreement

Karim Benzema’s six-month spell at Al-Hilal has ended, leaving the 38-year-old French striker without a club. He announced the departure on Monday after playing 16 matches, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists.

Benzema won the Saudi King’s Cup on May 8, the only title he collected with Al-Hilal and his third during his time in Saudi Arabia. “A chapter comes to an end. I’m grateful to Al-Hilal, my teammates, the staff, the fans and everyone at the club for the time we shared together,” he wrote on Instagram.

Al-Hilal thanked him for his professionalism, commitment and leadership on and off the field, and wished him success in the next stage of his career. The club did not identify Benzema’s next destination.

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A chapter comes to an end. I’m grateful to Al-Hilal, my teammates, the staff, the fans and everyone at the club for the time we shared together.

The move ends his second Saudi club stint. Benzema joined Al-Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid in 2023 and made 83 appearances, scoring 54 goals and recording 17 assists through February 2026, according to Transfermarkt. He won the Saudi league and King’s Cup during his first two seasons in the country and was named the league’s best player in 2025.

Before moving to Saudi Arabia, Benzema spent 14 years at Real Madrid. He won five Champions League titles, four LaLiga titles and three Copa del Rey trophies, and received the Ballon d’Or in 2022. He earned 97 caps for France but did not play at the 2026 World Cup, where France finished fourth.

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We thank him for the professionalism, commitment and leadership he demonstrated both on and off the field.