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Transfer window: Benzema was ready to play for Lyon for free this summer, but...

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Lyon approached former academy player Karim Benzema about returning to the club this summer, according to L'Équipe.
  • Benzema was reportedly willing to play without pay, but his ambassador contract with the Saudi league prevents him from signing outside Saudi Arabia.
  • The 38-year-old striker is currently a free agent after leaving Al-Hilal, although he remains contractually tied to the Saudi championship until 2030.

Karim Benzema was reportedly ready to return to Lyon without receiving a salary, driven by his attachment to the club and his home city. The possibility emerged after Lyon contacted the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner this summer, according to L'Équipe.

The move will not happen. Benzema recently left Al-Hilal and is currently available, but he is not entirely free to choose his next club. His contract as an ambassador for the Saudi Arabian championship runs until 2030 and prevents him from signing outside the kingdom.

without being paid, out of love for OL and his hometown

· Karim BenzemaL'Équipe's reported account of Benzema's willingness to return to Lyon without a salary.

L'Équipe reported that Benzema was "very enthusiastic about the idea" of returning to Lyon. The striker came through the club's academy and scored 66 goals in 148 appearances before joining Real Madrid in 2009.

His record in Madrid reached 354 goals in 648 matches. He moved to Saudi Arabia in 2023, first playing for Al-Ittihad, where he scored 54 goals in 83 matches, and later for Al-Hilal, where he scored 10 goals in 16 appearances. A return to Lyon therefore came close enough to be considered, but his Saudi contractual obligations blocked it.

very enthusiastic about the idea

· Karim BenzemaL'Équipe's description of Benzema's reaction to the possibility of returning to his formative club.
About this summary

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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