Karim Benzema has joined Al Hilal after ending his contract with Al Ittihad. The Saudi Pro League leaders confirmed the signing on Monday.
Local media said Benzema moved to Al Hilal after he turned down an offer to extend his contract with Al Ittihad. He had also missed Al Ittihad’s last two league matches.
Al Hilal said in an official statement that they signed the French star on a free transfer for one and a half years.
Benzema had a strong time at Al Ittihad. He helped the Jeddah-based club win the league title and the King’s Cup last season. It was the first domestic double in the club’s history.
Benzema, who joined Al Ittihad in 2023 on a free transfer after spending 14 years at Real Madrid, shared a message on X. He said the journey gave him a lot personally and professionally and that he leaves proud of what he achieved with the club.
This season, the 38-year-old striker scored 16 goals in 21 matches across all competitions for Al Ittihad.
Al Hilal are currently top of the league with 47 points, one point ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. Al Ittihad are in sixth place with 34 points.
Benzema’s Al-Hilal Switch Heats Saudi Title Race for Ronaldo
Karim Benzema’s move to Al-Hilal has added more pressure on Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League title race. Ronaldo’s wait for his first league title in Saudi Arabia could now become harder after Benzema made a surprise switch from Al-Ittihad to rivals Al-Hilal. The move strengthens Al-Nassr’s biggest competitors at the top of the table.
The former Ballon d’Or winner has joined league leaders Al-Hilal, who are currently one point ahead of Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. Benzema’s arrival adds more attacking power and experience to a squad that is already strong and ambitious. His signing has changed the balance at the top of Saudi football.
Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia in late 2022 and is still chasing his first Saudi Pro League title. Benzema, on the other hand, enjoyed quick success after joining last season, leading Al-Ittihad to both the league title and the King’s Cup before making his unexpected move to Al-Hilal.
Al-Hilal are the most successful club in Saudi Arabia, with 21 league titles and four Asian Champions League trophies. They also made global headlines last year by beating Manchester City 4-3 at the Club World Cup.
The team is now coached by Simone Inzaghi, a two-time Champions League finalist. Under him, Al-Hilal have become an even bigger challenge to Ronaldo’s title hopes. Benzema’s signing comes at a time when reports suggest Ronaldo is unhappy with Al-Nassr’s limited transfer activity.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and the face of Saudi football’s global push, has so far won only the Arab Champions Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Benzema’s Al-Hilal Move Exposes Saudi League Tensions
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were once teammates at Real Madrid, winning trophies and scoring goals together. In Saudi Arabia, they are still shaping the league’s story, but now much of the drama is happening off the pitch.
Benzema’s transfer has increased the feeling that the league is becoming unbalanced. This is what has reportedly pushed Cristiano Ronaldo to take a strong stand. Reports from Saudi Arabia and Portugal say Ronaldo has refused to play for Al-Nassr despite being fully fit.
This is not seen as a problem between Ronaldo and his club. Al-Nassr CEO Jose Semedo is a close ally of Ronaldo, and there are no signs of internal issues at the club. Instead, Ronaldo’s frustration is aimed higher, at the Public Investment Fund, which controls Saudi Arabia’s biggest clubs.
Refusing to play while fully fit is a risky move for Ronaldo, especially at nearly 40 years old. Match sharpness is important, with the World Cup ahead, and every missed game slows his chase for 1,000 career goals. It also brings more attention and criticism.
Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus has publicly denied any rift between Ronaldo and the club. But the bigger issue remains unresolved.
FAQs
Q. Which team does Cristiano Ronaldo play for in the SPL?
A. Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Q. How many Saudi Pro League titles have Cristinao Ronaldo won?
A. Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t won any Saudi Pro League title.
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