According to Fabrizio Romano, Benzema and Al-Hilal reached an agreement to immediately end their relationship. Now, at 38, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner faces one of the biggest decisions of his career: continue playing in Saudi Arabia or announce his retirement from professional soccer.
Karim Benzema Could Announce His Retirement From Soccer
The future of Karim Benzema has taken another unexpected turn. Just six months after becoming one of Al-Hilal’s biggest stars, the French striker agreed to terminate his contract and is now a free agent.
A return to Europe, for now, does not appear to be among the options the striker is considering.
The news is particularly surprising because Benzema had only arrived in Riyadh at the beginning of 2026 after ending his spell with Al-Ittihad. His time with Al-Hilal lasted much less than expected, and the Frenchman now has complete control over what comes next in his career.
Retirement Emerges as a Real Possibility
For the first time, the end of Benzema’s extraordinary career appears to be genuinely on the table.
According to Romano, the striker will announce his decision soon, and there are currently two main possibilities: retirement or continuing his career with another Saudi Arabian club. A return to European soccer is reportedly ruled out.
At 38, Benzema must decide whether he still wants to take on one final challenge as a professional or whether the time has come to close the book on a career in which he has won virtually everything.
His departure is also unexpected because the striker was still playing regularly for Al-Hilal. During his brief spell with the Saudi club, he scored 10 goals in 15 matches, showing that he still has the ability to make a difference in attack.
Ollie Watkins Arrives for a New Era at Al-Hilal
Benzema’s departure coincides with a significant overhaul of the Saudi club’s attack.
Ollie Watkins left Aston Villa to become Al-Hilal’s new striker. The English forward had emerged as one of the club’s main options to strengthen its attack, and his arrival comes almost simultaneously with the Frenchman’s departure.
Watkins arrives after establishing himself as one of Aston Villa’s most important strikers over several seasons. His pace, movement and ability to attack space provide a different profile from what Benzema offered.
It has not been publicly established that the Englishman’s signing was the direct reason behind the termination of Benzema’s contract, but both moves ultimately form part of a major transformation of Al-Hilal’s attack.
A Career That Defined an Era at Real Madrid
If Benzema decides to retire, he would walk away as one of the greatest strikers of his generation and a true Real Madrid legend.
The Frenchman joined the Spanish giants from Olympique Lyonnais in 2009 and spent 14 seasons at the Santiago Bernabéu. He made 648 appearances and scored 354 goals, ending his time at the club as its second-highest goalscorer of all time, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo.
His career changed significantly after Cristiano left for Juventus in 2018. Benzema went from being the striker who complemented the Portuguese superstar to becoming Madrid’s main attacking reference.
The peak came during the 2021-22 season. He scored 44 goals in 46 appearances, led the team to the LaLiga and UEFA Champions League titles and later won the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
With Real Madrid, he won, among other trophies, five Champions League titles, four LaLiga championships and three Copa del Rey trophies, building one of the most impressive résumés in the club’s recent history.
Benzema Has the Final Say
After leaving Madrid in 2023, Benzema began a new chapter in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad, where he remained until his surprising move to Al-Hilal at the beginning of 2026.
His adventure in Riyadh ended much sooner than expected.
There is now no contract determining his next move. Karim Benzema is a free agent and has complete control over his future.
The question no longer appears to be simply where he will play next.
At 38, after winning virtually everything at club level and building one of the most remarkable careers in recent European soccer history, Benzema must decide whether there is still one final chapter to write in Saudi Arabia or whether the time has come to bring his professional career to an end.
