Khaberni - Press reports revealed the details of the last hours in the career of French star Karim Benzema with Al-Ittihad club before his official transfer to Al Hilal.
Benzema moved to Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 after leaving Real Madrid, and he was supposed to end his contract with the Saudi team in the summer of 2026, i.e., at the end of the current season.
Benzema missed Al-Ittihad's match against Al-Fateh in the Saudi Professional League "Roshan League", despite no reports of his lack of physical readiness.
Sources explained that the reason for his absence was a crisis during negotiations with Al-Ittihad's management to renew the contract, after he rejected the offer made to him, which would have required him to play for free in exchange for receiving all the profits from his image rights.
As the dispute escalated, Al Hilal club intervened and officially attracted the player before the closure of the winter transfer period, leading Benzema to sign a contract that extends until the summer of 2027, after terminating his contract with Al-Ittihad.
The Saudi media personality Walid Al Faraj mentioned on "MBC Action" channel that Al-Ittihad made an improved offer to Benzema through his brother, his manager, but he refused it and insisted on moving to Al Hilal.
Benzema's insistence on Al Hilal's offer came despite Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Al-Nassr, making strenuous efforts to hinder the departure of his former teammate at Real Madrid, Karim Benzema, from Al-Ittihad to Al Hilal, wishing to prevent strengthening the ranks of his traditional rival, Al-Nassr.
The French player then stated: "No one imposes anything on me."
It is worth mentioning that Benzema played this season with Al-Ittihad in 21 matches across all competitions, scoring 16 goals during them.
