Benzema set to miss Al-Hilal’s Al-Khaleej game as exit reports intensify

Karim Benzema will not feature for Al-Hilal against Al-Khaleej in the fourth round of the Roshn Saudi League, with the France striker’s absence coming amid growing reports that his time at the club could be nearing an end.

Al-Hilal announced that Benzema is suffering from a back injury and experiencing severe pain, ruling him out of tomorrow’s match. He will therefore be left out of the squad, at least initially, as uncertainty continues to surround his future with the Saudi club.

Sources inside Al-Hilal have indicated that Benzema is now highly likely to leave in the coming days after talks with the club’s management reached an impasse.

The 38-year-old joined Al-Hilal in January after terminating his contract with Al-Ittihad, but he is now reportedly facing a swift departure from the club. The former France international is said to have rejected a proposal that would have limited his involvement to Asian competitions.

Benzema has also asked Al-Hilal to pay all outstanding sums owed to him, with the club’s management currently working on that issue, according to the same sources.

His reported disagreement with the club over his role has added to speculation that the striker’s spell with Al-Hilal could end after only a short period. The latest injury announcement means he will be unavailable for the meeting with Al-Khaleej, while his omission from the squad is expected to further fuel questions about whether he will remain at the club beyond the next few days.

The match is Al-Hilal’s fourth fixture of the Roshn Saudi League campaign. However, Benzema’s absence is not officially being attributed to the transfer reports, with the club citing his back problem and severe discomfort as the reason for leaving him out.

The French striker’s situation has also prompted renewed discussion about a possible return to Al-Ittihad, although the latest report focuses on his expected departure from Al-Hilal and the discussions over his financial entitlements.

For now, Benzema is set to watch from outside as Al-Hilal face Al-Khaleej. The club’s announcement about his injury confirms that he will not take part in the match, while sources suggest his position within the squad is under serious threat and that a resolution could be reached in the coming days.