Karim Benzema is once again shaking up the Saudi Arabian football market. The French striker, Ballon d’Or winner, has reached an agreement to become a new player of Al Hilal, leaving Al Ittihad immediately to join the sporting project headed by Simone Inzaghi, confirming their status as the main candidates to win the title this season. The move, completed in the last few hours, represents one of the most shocking transfers in the championship, not only because of the figure of Benzema, but also because of the competitive weight it adds to an Al Hilal side that is looking to establish itself as the great reference point for Asian and continental football.

Why did Benzema leave Al Ittihad?

It all started when L’Equipe revealed that Benzema would not wear the Al Ittihad shirt again, upset by a renewal offer that he considered disrespectful to his career. With six months of his contract remaining, his departure quickly took shape.

The emergence of Al Hilal in the operation caused tension within the Saudi Pro League, especially in the environment of Cristiano Ronaldo, who perceives unequal treatment between the clubs controlled by the Public Investment Fund. The numbers support this feeling: since 2023, Al Hilal has invested more than 215 million euros more than Al Nassr, Al Ittihad or Al Ahli

How does this affect Cristiano Ronaldo?

Al-Hilal are currently top of the Saudi league with 47 points, just one point ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. However, in the last three games of Benzema’s new team, they have accumulated draws, leaving valuable points on the road, which would have prompted the signing of the French striker

Al Nassr, in second place, has five consecutive victories, however, in its last match Cristiano Ronaldo was not present due to alleged dissatisfaction with the club. Internal friction, discontent with its star player and the arrival of Benzema to the rival team puts Al Nassr in serious trouble. Despite having the Portuguese star and top players such as Joao Felix and Sadio Mane, it has not been able to win the coveted title. Meanwhile, the stage is set: Benzema will meet Al Ittihad on February 19 and, weeks later, could face Cristiano Ronaldo in the Riyadh derby, with the Saudi league title at stake.