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Al Hilal Terminates Benzema Contract by Mutual Agreement

9/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Al Hilal terminated French striker Karim Benzema's contract by mutual agreement.
Benzema had joined Al Hilal six months earlier after leaving Saudi side Al Ittihad.
Al Hilal signed English forward Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa for £51 million ($69 million).
The club praised Benzema’s professionalism, commitment and leadership on and off the pitch.
Benzema’s future remains unclear, with speculation he could retire.

History

Historical Context

In 2009, Real Madrid completed the €94 million transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United, reshaping global football economics and media attention. The deal, negotiated by club president Florentino Pérez and agent Jorge Mendes, set a record €94 million fee, surpassing the previous €63 million benchmark. Similarly, Al Hilal’s 2024 £51 million acquisition of English forward Ollie Watkins and the mutual termination of French striker Karim Benzema mirror this Saudi-European talent influx. These high-profile moves underscore Saudi Arabia’s strategic push to globalize its league, prompting further foreign investment and potential FIFA regulatory reviews.

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Story summary

Al Hilal terminated French striker Karim Benzema's contract by mutual agreement.
Benzema had joined Al Hilal six months earlier after leaving Saudi side Al Ittihad.
Al Hilal signed English forward Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa for £51 million ($69 million).
The club praised Benzema’s professionalism, commitment and leadership on and off the pitch.
Benzema’s future remains unclear, with speculation he could retire.

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