The Saudi Pro League has witnessed one of its most dramatic and high-profile transfers on February 2, 2026, as Karim Benzema has officially completed his move from Al-Ittihad to fierce city rivals Al-Hilal, signing a contract that runs until June 2027.
The 38-year-old former Ballon d’Or winner, who joined Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid in the summer of 2023 on a lucrative three-year deal, had been in a tense standoff with his former club over a proposed contract renewal.
Al-Ittihad presented Benzema with new terms this afternoon, but the offer—widely described as lacking a fixed base salary and leaning heavily on variable image rights earnings—was deemed highly disrespectful by the player and his representatives.
This perceived slight, especially for a player of his stature and current earnings level, led Benzema to refuse inclusion in recent match squads, effectively going on strike as negotiations broke down irreparably.
With his original contract set to expire in June 2026, the situation escalated rapidly. Al-Hilal, the current league leaders coached by Simone Inzaghi, swiftly stepped in amid the January transfer window’s final hours.
Reports indicate Benzema reached a full agreement with Al-Hilal, accepting every detail of their proposal. The deal is an 18-month contract approximately one and a half years from the transfer date, keeping him in Riyadh through the end of the 2026-2027 season and adding significant firepower to their already star-studded attack.
Al-Hilal officially announced the signing on February 2, 2026, hailing Benzema as a key addition to their project aimed at reclaiming domestic supremacy and competing strongly in continental competitions.
The move has been labeled one of the season’s biggest in the SPL, with Benzema’s experience and goal-scoring pedigree (he tallied over 50 goals in his Al-Ittihad stint, contributing to titles like the league and cup) expected to elevate the team’s performance immediately.
The transfer carries extra layers of intrigue and controversy. Both clubs fall under the same Public Investment Fund (PIF) ownership umbrella, sparking debates about fairness and potential favoritism—some fans and observers have accused the system of tilting the balance toward Al-Hilal to hinder rivals like Al-Nassr (and Cristiano Ronaldo).
There were even reports of heavy pushback, including alleged interventions from figures like Ronaldo, though the deal ultimately pushed through despite late-hour stalls involving the Saudi Ministry of Sport and PIF approvals.
Benzema has already said goodbye to Al-Ittihad and headed to Riyadh for final formalities, with the switch taking effect immediately. This blockbuster intra-league move could trigger further domino effects, such as opening pathways for other player shifts (e.g., speculation around N’Golo Kanté potentially departing).
For now, the French legend remains committed to Saudi Arabia, trading Jeddah’s stripes for Al-Hilal’s blue and white as he enters what may be the twilight phase of his illustrious career.