Karim Benzema (foto: //)
Karim Benzema has officially joined Al Hilal and sent his first message to fans after arriving in Riyadh, following his departure from Al Ittihad.
Legendary French striker Karim Benzema has officially become a new player of Al Hilal and has already sent his first message to the club’s supporters.
After completing his move from Al Ittihad, Benzema addressed Al Hilal fans in a short video message shortly after arriving in Riyadh from Jeddah.
“Hello fans, how are you? I’m happy to be here. I’ve just arrived from Jeddah to Riyadh. Inshallah, see you soon. Salam,” Benzema said.
From Al Ittihad to Al Hilal
Benzema joined Al Ittihad in the summer of 2023, following the wave of global stars who moved their careers to the Middle East. During his two-and-a-half seasons with the Jeddah-based club, he enjoyed considerable success, winning the Saudi Pro League and King’s Cup double in 2025.
Across 83 appearances, the former Real Madrid captain registered an impressive 54 goals and 17 assists, reaffirming his status as one of the league’s standout players.
Contract dispute and swift move
Despite having a contract that ran until June 2026, Benzema’s spell at Al Ittihad ended early due to disagreements over a contract extension. The striker reportedly felt the offer on the table did not reflect his status and achievements, leading to a breakdown in talks.
As a result, Benzema did not feature in Al Ittihad’s final league match, after which the club agreed to terminate the contract by mutual consent.
Inzaghi’s new star
Al Hilal moved quickly to capitalise on the situation. The Riyadh club, coached by Simone Inzaghi, offered Benzema a one-and-a-half-year contract until June 2027, which the Frenchman accepted without hesitation.
Al Hilal officially confirmed the signing on Thursday evening, adding another global superstar to their squad — and giving their fans an immediate message of intent from their new No.9.