KARIM BENZEMA has left Al-Ittihad to join their Saudi rivals Al-Hilal in a permanent move.
And the deal risks incensing his former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Benzema, 38, allegedly went on strike last month due to a contract dispute.
He withdrew from the matchday squad prior to their league meeting with Al Fateh last week after being “insulted” by Al-Ittihad’s offer.
The striker also reportedly began training away from the first team.
And now Benzema has managed to secure a move to Al-Hilal – who currently top the Saudi top-flight.
All gone Ron
Ronaldo ‘goes on strike’ and refuses to play for Al-Nassr with icon ‘furious’
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The deal was initially held up by the Saudi Ministry of Sports and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) but went through before the transfer deadline.
Al-Hilal signed the Frenchman on a free.
He has penned a one-and-a-half year deal.
Benzema scored 54 goals in 83 appearances for Al-Ittihad after joining from Real Madrid in 2023.
Benzema’s switch comes with his former Los Blancos team-mate Ronaldo ireportedly on strike at Al-Nassr due to the club’s lack of transfer business.
Portuguese outlet A Bola claims the 40-year-old is furious about the apparent favouritism the PIF has shown to rival clubs in the Saudi Pro League over the transfer window.
The report says Ronaldo has complained about manager Jorge Jesus not receiving the reinforcements he requested in the window, with the only player signed being 21-year-old midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem.
So he will be furious that Al-Hilal – one of Al-Nassr’s biggest rivals and just one point ahead of them at the top of the Saudi Pro League – have signed Benzema.
The PIF has a 75 per cent controlling stake in four Saudi clubs – Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli – and has been the driving force behind some of the Pro League’s top moves in recent years.
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