It appears that the journey of French star Karim Benzema in Saudi stadiums is swiftly approaching its final stop, after Al-Hilal club finalized his departure in the coming period.
Following a brief stint with Al-Hilal, the management is moving toward terminating the contractual relationship with the veteran striker, opening the door for him to leave as a free agent, granting him full freedom to choose his next destination.
Behind the scenes of Benzema's surprising departure from Saudi Al-Hilal
According to renowned French journalist "Santi Aouna," Benzema's future now seems far removed from Al-Hilal club, despite joining the team only last February from Al-Ittihad under a contract extending until June 2027.
Indications confirm unwillingness to complete this contract, as Al-Zaeem seeks to restructure and rejuvenate its attacking line to secure future options for the team under Italian coach Simone Inzaghi.
Although some financial complexities exist regarding the French player's overdue dues, the most likely direction points toward a financial settlement and mutual contract termination between both parties.
An astonishing scoring rate at age 38
Benzema's potential departure comes despite his impressive goal-scoring output and distinguished technical performances with the team; the 38-year-old has proven his decisive effectiveness in front of goal while wearing Al-Hilal's jersey.
Karim scored 9 goals and provided 5 assists in just 13 matches across all competitions during the previous 2025/2026 season, yet these figures were insufficient to convince the management to retain him within the upcoming sports project.
The dream of returning to Lyon... between emotion and reality
Benzema's name was immediately linked upon news of his free-agent status to a return to the French league, specifically to his hometown and boyhood club Olympique Lyonnais, the club that witnessed his promising beginnings before his historic transfer to Real Madrid in 2009.
Despite the emotional appeal of this story, it clashes with the reality of the player's own statements; last April, when asked about the possibility of ending his football career at Lyon, Benzema clearly ruled out the idea, saying: "I cannot do that... perhaps I could work there in the future, but not as a football player."
The option of moving to Marseille and the salary obstacle
On another note, observers have suggested Olympique de Marseille as a potential destination, given the southern club's search to bolster its attack with free transfers and minimal costs amid the possible departure of several strikers.
Theoretically, acquiring a striker of Benzema's stature and history without a transfer fee would be a dream for the fans of the "Vélodrome" stadium during the new 2026/2027 season.
Practically speaking, however, the player's high salary stands as an obstacle to completing the deal, alongside the strong loyalty Benzema has repeatedly declared toward his only French club, Lyon.
Crucial days ahead to determine Benzema's next destination
With the official announcement of contract termination imminent, the coming days will be decisive in determining Benzema's footballing future. After spending three seasons on Saudi football pitches, the most prominent question remains: Does the French star prefer to continue his career in the Gulf, or does he favor returning to Europe once again?
