The transfer window has slammed shut with the biggest shock of 2026! In a move that has sent shockwaves from Jeddah to Riyadh, Karim Benzema has officially completed his sensational switch from Al-Ittihad to league leaders Al Hilal.
Following a bitter and public fallout with the Al-Ittihad management over an "insulting" renewal offer, the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner has accepted a 1.5-year contract that keeps him in the Saudi Pro League until June 2027.
The Anatomy of a Blowup: Why He Left
The "King" didn't just walk away; he ran. The relationship between Benzema and Al-Ittihad collapsed in the final week of January after a series of events that sounds like a movie script:
The "Zero Euro" Offer: Reports from L'Équipe suggest Al-Ittihad offered Benzema a renewal with no base salary, instead granting him 100% of his image rights. Benzema reportedly viewed this as a "disrespectful" end to his career.
The Strike: Benzema refused to play in Al-Ittihad’s recent matches against Al-Fateh and Al-Orobah, training separately while his entourage negotiated an exit.
The PIF Intervention: The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns both clubs, stepped in to ensure one of the league's biggest global icons didn't return to Europe (where Lyon and Juventus were waiting).
Karim Benzema: "I wanted a project that matches my ambition. Al Hilal is the 'Leader' for a reason. I am here to win more titles and show that my story in Saudi Arabia is far from over."
The Verdict: This move isn't just a transfer; it's a power shift. Al Hilal have effectively "cannibalized" their rival's biggest star, leaving Al-Ittihad searching for a replacement in the final hours of the window.