A week of pure madness. The end of the winter transfer window, officially closed this Monday, February 2, put an end to a totally chaotic sequence in Saudi Arabia, the consequences of which could extend well over time.
At the heart of the matter: Karim Benzema. The French striker signed up for a year and a half at Al-Hilal after the termination of the contract binding him since 2023 to Al-Ittihad. A transfer that had the effect of a bomb in the Kingdom.
Why did Karim Benzema leave Al-Ittihad?
Some thought he would end his career there. Star player of Al-Ittihad since his signing from Real Madrid in the summer of 2023, “KB9” seemed to be experiencing the ideal end of his career with the Jeddah club. Cup – Championship double in 2025, title of best player in the Saudi Pro League and the Saudi Arabian King’s Cup… For three years, the 38-year-old center forward has been accumulating trophies and individual distinctions.
But the idyll ended abruptly. At the end of the contract next June, the 2022 Ballon d’or put an end to the extension negotiations in progress for many months last week. Dissatisfied with the offer put on the table by Michael Emenalo, the sporting director of the Saudi championship, Benzema would have considered the proposal “insulting” according to those around him, since it would amount to “playing for free” apart from his image rights, which amount to around 20-25 million euros annually.
The former Madrilenian, who received a salary close to 100 million euros per year at Al-Ittihad, therefore decided to withdraw from his team’s matches, missing the last two matches before demanding a transfer.
Why did he choose Al-Hilal rather than returning to Europe?
Without a solution to the standoff started by Benzema – the players being employed by the League and not by the clubs – Al-Ittihad therefore watched, helplessly, the departure of its captain and best player.
While the rumor of a comeback at Olympique Lyonnais quickly emerged, as did the interest of certain Turkish clubs and Juventus Turin, the possibility of a return to Europe quickly died out. Indeed, when joining the Gulf country, the Frenchman had also signed a contract as ambassador for Saudi Arabia, particularly with a view to the 2034 World Cup organized by the Kingdom. A document preventing him for the moment from playing anywhere other than in the Saudi championship.
Enough to awaken the interest of Al-Hilal, direct competitor of Al-Ittihad for the title. The current leader of the Saudi Pro League took advantage of the deadlock to begin negotiations with Benzema in the final hours of the transfer window, until reaching a total agreement this Monday, the last day of the winter window.
Why did Cristiano Ronaldo get involved?
However, everything did not go as planned. While the transfer was on track, a major external element almost derailed the operation: Cristiano Ronaldo. Captain and leader of Al-Nassr, another big name in Saudi football in search of its first national coronation in seven years, the 40-year-old striker would have taken a very dim view of Benzema’s departure to Al-Hilal, a declared competitor for the title.
As revealed by the Portuguese press and confirmed by RMC Sport and L’Équipe, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner chose not to participate in his club’s trip to Al-Riyadh on Monday (0-1). His will? Put pressure on the PIF (the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia), financial manager of the main Saudi clubs, believing that Al-Nassr would not be treated as well as Al-Hilal on the transfer market.
What consequences for the future of Saudi football?
Suffice to say that a lasting strike by “CR7”, mega-star of the Saudi Pro League, would inevitably cause an earthquake within the Kingdom, as the image of the Portuguese is fundamental to the development of the championship.
If the signing of Benzema for Al-Hilal was finally able to be registered before the deadline, there is no doubt that the controversy will not stop there. While Cristiano Ronaldo has not yet spoken publicly, several Portuguese and Saudi media consider it likely that the star will not participate in the clash planned against Al-Ittihad this Friday February 6 (6:30 p.m.).
In Saudi Arabia, a real media war has begun and could even have political consequences. If the management of Al-Nassr prohibited the players and coach Jorge Jesus from speaking in the media after their match, Majed Al-Jumaan, the former CEO of the Riyadh club, did not hesitate to add fuel to the fire in the evening. In a post published on X, the ex-leader supported Cristiano Ronaldo “in the face of the silence of the (Al-Nassr) administration”. “Everyone abandoned the team,” he explained, arguing that the action taken by the Portuguese would be beneficial for Saudi football.
As an indirect response, Al-Hilal issued a press release in the evening intended to “thank Prince Al-Walid ben Talal for his support of the agreement concerning Karim Benzema”, revealing that the member of the club’s board of directors had also “financed the entirety of seven transfers concluded by Al-Hilal during the winter transfer period”, for a sum of around 100 million euros.
Problem: The prince is a prominent member of the Saudi royal family. Suffice to say that Cristiano Ronaldo’s anger is not about to subside.
