Karim Benzema transfers to Al Hilal following postponement, N’Golo Kante moves to Fenerbahce.
Karim Benzema has departed from Al Ittihad and has signed a contract with Saudi Pro League competitors Al Hilal, as announced by the club on Monday.
“Karim Benzema is officially Hilali,” Al Hilal stated on X.
After the transaction faced delays due to the Saudi Ministry of Sports and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) on Monday, the issues were resolved on the deadline day, allowing the 38-year-old to fulfill his desire to switch Saudi clubs.
With his contract expiring in six months at Al Ittihad, Benzema, 38, turned down a contract extension from Al Ittihad, deeming it “disrespectful.”
The Al Ittihad agreement from the Saudi Pro League, which manages the contracts of key players in PIF-owned teams, would have effectively resulted in Benzema playing without compensation, sources indicated.
Instead, PIF facilitated a transfer to rivals Al Hilal for the 2023 Ballon d’Or recipient, which reportedly upset Cristiano Ronaldo, sources noted.
The Portuguese forward declined to participate for Al Nassr on Monday in protest, believing that PIF was not adequately investing in Al Nassr and was instead favoring Al Ittihad.
Benzema, who had interest from European clubs, preferred to remain in Saudi Arabia, partly due to his image rights contract there lasting until 2030.
Youssef En-Nesyri, the Moroccan forward currently with Fenerbahçe, will take his place in Jeddah, while former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kanté, 34, will depart Al Ittihad to join Fenerbahçe.
Ronaldo is still awaiting his first league title since his arrival in Saudi Arabia in 2022 and has witnessed his primary rival strengthen with the signing of five-time Champions League winner Benzema.
The ex-Real Madrid striker, who was a teammate of Ronaldo at the Spanish club, guided Al Ittihad to the title last year, along with the King’s Cup.
Al Hilal is the most successful team in Saudi Arabia, boasting 21 league titles and four Asian Championships.
Last year, it shocked Manchester City at the Club World Cup with a 4-3 victory, eliminating Pep Guardiola’s side.
Under the management of two-time Champions League finalist Simone Inzaghi, it poses a significant challenge to Ronaldo’s aspirations of becoming league champion after triggering a trend of top soccer players, including Benzema, moving to the Saudi league.
