BENZEMA IN TALKS TO JOIN RIVALS AL-HILAL AFTER CONTRACT DISPUTE

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Striker Karim Benzema, who is not getting along with his team Al-Ittihad, is talking to Al-Hilal, the top team in the Saudi Arabian league, according to a source who spoke to AFP on Monday.

The source said that Al-Hilal wants to sign Benzema for the rest of his current contract with Al-Ittihad, which is six months left.
However, Benzema’s agent is asking for a contract that lasts one and a half years instead.

Benzema, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2022, has scored eight goals in 14 league games this season with Al-Ittihad.
He hasn’t played in the last two matches though.

Media reports say that Benzema is not happy with the contract offer Al-Ittihad has given him.

Both Al-Hilal, who play in Riyadh, and Al-Ittihad, in Jeddah, are owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Benzema reportedly received an offer from Michael Emenalo, sporting director of the Saudi league, which he considered “insulting” as it would amount to “playing for free”, apart from his image rights, according to his entourage.

The 38-year-old former France international moved to Saudi Arabia in 2023 after 14 seasons with Real Madrid. Last season he scored 21 goals as Al-Ittihad won the league.

This season Al-Ittihad trail leaders Al-Hilal by 12 points.

Al-Ittihad coach Sergio Conceicao declined to comment on Benzema’s absence.

“You have to ask the club’s management and officials,” he said last week adding that “Karim is a top-level professional and an extraordinary player”.

AFP