Karim Benzema fires back at critics after Al-Hilal draw

Al-Hilal striker Karim Benzema has broken his silence following the intense backlash that trailed his side’s 1-1 stalemate against Al-Ittihad at the Kingdom Arena in the Saudi Professional League.

The draw proved costly for Al-Hilal, who surrendered their position at the summit of the table. Al-Nasr capitalised on the slip by securing victory over Al-Hazm to move one point clear at the top.

Frustration quickly spread among the Al-Hilal faithful, with criticism directed at head coach Simone Inzaghi and Benzema in particular.

Reports published by Okaz claimed the Frenchman declined to acknowledge supporters at full time, opting instead to head straight to the dressing room alongside teammates Malcolm and Theo, a gesture that reportedly unsettled others within the squad.

Further reports indicated that tensions flared during the halftime interval, with Benzema allegedly engaging in a heated exchange with the coach.

The striker is said to have urged a tactical adjustment to exploit Al-Ittihad’s numerical disadvantage, a move that reportedly disrupted the atmosphere in the dressing room and affected the team’s rhythm after the break.

Despite being a man down, Al-Ittihad found their equaliser in the 53rd minute through Algerian midfielder Houssem Aouar.

The encounter also carried personal significance for Benzema as it marked his first appearance against his former club Al-Ittihad. As criticism and mockery mounted across social media, the French star chose a brief but pointed response.

Taking to his account on X on Monday, Benzema wrote: “In the end, we talk.”