Al Hilal and Karim Benzema mutually part ways

Al Hilal have confirmed the departure of French striker Karim Benzema after reaching an agreement to terminate his contract by mutual consent.

The former Real Madrid star, who has Algeria descent leaves the Saudi football powerhouse after just six months at the club.

In an official statement, Al-Hilal revealed that the contractual settlement was made possible through the financial support of Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, who covered the value of the agreement required to end the Frenchman’s contract.

The club’s board, led by Prince Nawaf bin Saad, expressed its appreciation to Prince Al-Waleed for his significant contribution and continued support of Al-Hilal.

Al-Hilal described his backing as part of his long-standing commitment to the club, highlighting his previous initiatives aimed at strengthening the team and helping it compete at the highest level.

The decision to part ways with Benzema comes shortly after Al-Hilal completed the arrival of Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli. His addition meant the club had reached the permitted number of foreign players over the age of 21 in its squad, forcing the Saudi side to make changes to its foreign-player quota.

At 38, Benzema was ultimately the player sacrificed as Al-Hilal sought to reshape its squad ahead of the new season.

Despite his relatively short stay, the former Real Madrid captain made a notable contribution during his time in Riyadh. Since joining Al-Hilal in January, Benzema made 16 appearances across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists.

His departure marks another major development in the Saudi Pro League, where several clubs continue to make significant changes to their squads as they attempt to compete domestically and on the continental stage.

Benzema now becomes one of the high-profile names available during the final stages of the summer transfer window, with his experience at the highest level potentially attracting interest from clubs looking for an experienced goalscorer.

The French striker enjoyed a remarkable career at Real Madrid before moving to Saudi Arabia, winning multiple major trophies and establishing himself as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards. His next destination will therefore be closely watched following his unexpected exit from Al-Hilal.