Where Will Karim Benzema Play After Leaving Al Hilal?
Karim Benzema is set to become a free agent just six months after joining Al Hilal, with several options emerging as he considers the next chapter of his career.
Karim Benzema has agreed to terminate his contract with Al Hilal by mutual consent and is set to become available just six months after joining the Saudi club. According to Fabrizio Romano, the French striker is expected to announce a decision on his future soon.
His departure is striking given both the short length of his spell and his solid numbers. Benzema made 16 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists after arriving from Al Ittihad in January 2026.
The issue appears to be more about his place in the new project. Simone Inzaghi stopped counting on the veteran striker, while the arrivals of attacking players such as Gabriel Martinelli and Ollie Watkins further reduced his opportunities. Benzema did not feature in the recent 5-1 victory over Al Khaleej, with Kader Meïté leading the line instead.
Now comes the big question: where will Benzema play next? At 38, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner has several potential paths, although one appears to be virtually off the table.
Al Ittihad: Back to familiar territory?
Perhaps the most natural option would be a return to Al Ittihad, where Benzema played from his arrival in Saudi Arabia in 2023 until his move to Al Hilal.
A reunion would make sense for several reasons. Benzema would need no time to adapt to the league or his surroundings and would return to a club where he already understands the expectations and environment.
AS has also identified Al Ittihad as one of the possible destinations for the Frenchman. For now, however, there is no agreement in place that would make a return a certainty.
Al Shabab: Another chapter in Saudi Arabia?
Another possible destination is Al Shabab, whose name has also emerged as an option that would keep Benzema in the Saudi Pro League.
That scenario could make particular sense because of Benzema’s continuing ties to Saudi football. The Frenchman remains connected to the country through agreements involving his image rights, which could favor staying in Saudi Arabia.
If it happens, Al Shabab would become his third Saudi club after Al Ittihad and Al Hilal. But just like a potential return to his former team, no deal has been announced.
MLS: The option that changes everything
The most intriguing possibility outside Saudi Arabia could take Benzema to the United States. According to AS, the former Real Madrid star has received an offer from MLS.
The identity of the interested club has not been publicly revealed, but accepting the proposal would represent a significant change after three years in Saudi football.
MLS has become a destination for some of the biggest names in the sport, and Benzema would represent another major addition. Unlike the Saudi options, however, this path would take him away from the environment in which he has spent his entire career since leaving Real Madrid in 2023.
What about one last return to Europe?
Given Benzema’s career, the possibility is impossible to ignore. But all indications suggest Europe is no longer part of the equation.
Romano was clear when reporting on the striker’s departure: “There will be no return to Europe.” That would seemingly rule out one final spell in one of the continent’s major leagues, as well as any sentimental speculation about a potential Real Madrid reunion.
If Benzema decides to keep playing, his future therefore appears to come down primarily to staying in Saudi Arabia or pursuing a completely different experience in MLS.
Retirement remains another possibility
There is one final scenario: Benzema could decide that the time has come to end his professional career.
Reports differ on that possibility. AS says the striker is not currently considering retirement and intends to continue playing, while Romano has not completely ruled it out ahead of Benzema’s expected announcement.
At 38, Benzema has already won virtually everything: five Champions League titles, a remarkable collection of trophies with Real Madrid and the Ballon d’Or that crowned his extraordinary 2022 campaign.
His recent numbers, though, suggest he can still contribute. Ten goals and five assists in just 16 appearances for Al Hilal hardly look like the numbers of a player forced to walk away. The question now is whether Benzema can find a project compelling enough to convince him to keep going.
3 Key Takeaways From Karim Benzema’s Future
- Al Ittihad offers the most familiar path: returning to his former club would allow Benzema to remain in an environment he already knows.
- MLS offers something completely different: according to AS, Benzema has received an offer from the United States, although the interested club has not been revealed.
- Retirement cannot be completely ruled out: while reports suggest Benzema wants to continue playing, the Frenchman still has to make the final call on his future.
