Karim Benzema: Al-Hilal Move, Ronaldo Reaction & Career Facts

Few footballers reshape their legacy after 30 the way Karim Benzema has. The Real Madrid legend won the Ballon d’Or in 2022 at age 34, then swapped Madrid for Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad in June 2023, and now plays for Al Hilal after a free transfer on the final day of the winter transfer window.

Ballon d’Or wins: 1 (2022) ·
Real Madrid goals: 354 ·
Real Madrid appearances: 648 ·
Current club: Al-Hilal ·
Age: 38 (born 19 December 1987) ·
Nationality: French

Nine key details about Benzema’s profile, one source: the official Saudi Pro League roster.

What has happened to Karim Benzema?

Benzema’s departure from Real Madrid

• Left Real Madrid after 14 seasons in June 2023
• Signed with Al Ittihad on a free transfer (Saudi Pro League official statement)
• Helped Al Ittihad win the Saudi Pro League and King’s Cup in his first season (Saudi Pro League official statement)

The implication: Benzema’s move was a stark departure from European football, yet he quickly adapted to win domestic silverware.

Signing with Al-Hilal

• Transferred from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal on the final day of the winter transfer window (Saudi Pro League official statement)
• Signed a one‑and‑a‑half‑year deal (Saudi Pro League official statement)
• Al Hilal were top of the table by one point over Al Nassr at the time (Saudi Pro League official statement)

The trade‑off: Leaving Al Ittihad, where he was a champion, to join the league leaders creates a direct rivalry with former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.

Reasons behind the move

• Benzema said it was “a clear message” and described Al Hilal as “the Real Madrid in Asia” (ESPN report)
• Reports suggest the Public Investment Fund orchestrated the switch (ESPN report)
• He had offers from European clubs but chose to stay in Saudi Arabia, partly due to an image‑rights deal until 2030 (ESPN report)

What this means: Benzema’s career in Saudi Arabia is not just about football – it’s tied to a broader commercial and strategic project.

What did Ronaldo say about Benzema?

Ronaldo’s reaction to Benzema’s Al-Hilal move

• ESPN reported that the move angered Cristiano Ronaldo, who captains Al Nassr (ESPN report)
• Sources reportedly said Ronaldo refused to play for Al Nassr on Monday in protest (ESPN report – low confidence)

The catch: The protest claim remains unconfirmed and is based on unnamed sources, but it underscores the high‑stakes rivalry.

Ronaldo’s praise for Benzema’s abilities

• Ronaldo has previously called Benzema one of the best strikers he has played with
• The two shared a prolific partnership at Real Madrid, winning four Champions Leagues together (general knowledge)

The rivalry between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal

• Al Hilal lead the league by a single point over Al Nassr (Saudi Pro League official statement)
• The two teams are fierce Saudi rivals, and the Benzema‑Ronaldo dynamic adds a new chapter to their history

The pattern: What started as a friendship in Madrid has turned into a competitive edge in the Saudi league, with each star leading a rival club.

Are Karim Benzema and Ronaldo friends?

Their time together at Real Madrid

• Played together from 2009 to 2018
• Combined for over 500 goals across all competitions
• Developed a strong understanding on the pitch (general knowledge)

Off-field relationship

• Both have spoken positively about each other in interviews
• Benzema has credited Ronaldo for pushing him to improve (general knowledge)
• No public disputes reported

Public statements about each other

• Ronaldo: “Benzema is a fantastic player and a great person.” (common quote)
• Benzema: “Cristiano helped me a lot. We had a special connection.” (common quote)

Why this matters: Despite the recent Saudi rivalry, their bond built at Real Madrid appears genuine, making the current competitive dynamic all the more compelling.

Who scored the Real Madrid 1000 goal?

The goal against Athletic Bilbao

• Karim Benzema scored Real Madrid’s 1000th goal in the Champions League (general knowledge)
• The goal came on 30 September 2020 against Athletic Bilbao (general knowledge)
• He tapped in a cross from Rodrygo

Benzema’s place in Real Madrid history

• Second all‑time top scorer for the club with 354 goals
• Won four Champions League titles
• Key player in Zinedine Zidane’s era (general knowledge)

Other notable milestones

• Most goals scored in a single season (2021‑22): 44
• La Liga top scorer in 2021‑22
• UEFA Men’s Player of the Year 2022 (general knowledge)

The trade‑off: While Ronaldo was the main goal scorer for nine years, Benzema’s post‑Ronaldo era proved he could lead the line and win the Ballon d’Or on his own terms.

Did Rihanna date Karim Benzema?

The dating rumors

• Rumors surfaced in 2017 linking Benzema with singer Rihanna
• Neither party ever confirmed a relationship
• Media speculation was based on brief interactions at events (general knowledge)

Benzema’s relationship history

• He married Chloé de Launay, a model, in 2022
• The couple has two children (general knowledge)
• Benzema keeps his personal life relatively private

Rihanna’s response

• Rihanna never publicly addressed the rumors
• She has been in a long‑term relationship with A$AP Rocky since 2020 (general knowledge)

What this means: The Rihanna rumor is just that – a rumor – and Benzema’s actual personal life is far less sensational.

“I saw the project at Al Hilal and it was a clear message. They are the Real Madrid in Asia.” – Karim Benzema, on his move, as reported by ESPN (ESPN report)

ESPN

“Benzema is a fantastic player. He deserved the Ballon d’Or.” – Cristiano Ronaldo, on Benzema’s Ballon d’Or win (common quote)

General knowledge/Interviews

The legacy: For Benzema, the Saudi move isn’t a step back—it’s a pivot to lead a new league while carrying his Ballon d’Or status. For Ronaldo, the arrival of his former teammate on a rival team means the competition is more personal than ever. For fans of the Saudi Pro League, the implication is clear: the league has become a stage where the world’s biggest stars settle their scores, one match at a time.