Al-Hilal have stated there may be “a lot performed” and “extra to return” after Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema marked his arrival on the Saudi Professional League giants with a video message to followers.
Benzema – the recipient of essentially the most prestigious particular person prize in soccer in 2022 – signed for the top-flight leaders on Monday, coinciding with Cristiano Ronaldo lacking an Al-Nassr recreation amid reviews suggesting the Portugal captain is disgruntled by his membership’s lack of switch exercise.
Al-Nassr supervisor Jorge Jesus, who led them to a 10-match unbeaten begin within the Saudi Professional League, will go away the membership when his contract expires on the finish of his first season in cost due to “present circumstances that make it tough to fulfill his technical calls for”, in line with Al-Riyadh.
The outlet stated that negotiations stay stalled on two transfers the Portuguese requested initially of January.
Al-Nassr are stated to be dealing with a “lack of funds” and “leaning in direction of closing the ebook on signings” earlier than the Saudi switch window shuts on Monday, having purchased 21-year-old midfielder Haider Abdulkareem from Iraqi aspect Al-Zawraa.
MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo: The face of Saudi football, the disrespect and what happens now
Karim Benzema: Al Hilal full switch
Benzema turned down a brand new deal at Al-Ittihad, with whom the 38-year-old gained final season’s Saudi Professional League and King’s Cup, in favour of becoming a member of Al-Hilal, who’re a degree above Al-Nassr on the summit after 19 matches of the 34-game season.
“Huge title,” Al-Hilal stated in a social media publish, sharing pictures of Benzema posing in a membership scarf. “Huge ambitions.”
In a video message, Benzema stated: “Hello, followers. How are you? I’m blissful to be right here. I’ve simply landed from Jeddah. I’ll see you quickly.”
Huge title.. Huge ambitions 💙
Welcome, 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐞𝐦𝐚 💫🤩 pic.twitter.com/SooNiFUz57
— AlHilal Saudi Membership (@Alhilal_EN) February 3, 2026
Benzema vs Ronaldo
Benzema has eight targets in 14 league appearances this season – one behind Al-Hilal high scorer Marcos Leonardo – and 16 targets in 21 video games general.
Ronaldo has 17 targets in 18 league matches and 18 targets in 22 video games in all competitions. Ivan Toney’s 18 targets for Al-Ahli make the previous England striker the main marksman within the Saudi Professional League 2025/26.
Benzema is but to register an help this season however supplied 9 in 2024/25, all within the league. Certainly one of Ronaldo’s three assists in 2025/26 has been within the league, with three of his 4 assists final season coming within the division.
Cristiano Ronaldo contract
Ronaldo is but to win the Saudi title regardless of top-scoring within the high flight in every of his two full seasons with Al-Nassr, who’ve doubtlessly colosssal monetary would possibly by means of the nation’s Public Funding Fund.
Shortly after Al-Nassr completed third final season – 13 factors behind Al-Ittihad – Ronaldo appeared to strongly trace on social media that he had performed his remaining recreation for the membership.
He agreed a brand new contract precisely a month later, having scored in Portugal’s triumphant Nations League semi-final towards Germany and remaining towards Spain.
The five-time Champions League winner scored 35 targets in 41 matches throughout all competitions for Al-Nassr in 2024/25.
Cristiano Ronaldo wage, wages
On monetary web site Forbes’ all-time listing of the very best incomes athletes in a 12 months, solely boxer Floyd Mayweather eclipses Ronaldo, having pocketed an estimated $300 million (£226m) in 2015 and $285m (£214.5m) in 2018.
Ronaldo was stated to have surpassed $1 billion (£771m) in profession earnings two years earlier than turning into essentially the most high-profile footballer to maneuver to Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo’s first Al-Nassr deal was extensively reported to be price £14.75m a month or £3.4m per week. His annual wage was stated to be £177m per 12 months, made up of £62m for his soccer wage, supplemented by industrial bonuses.
Ronaldo has quite a lot of profitable sponsorship offers, along with his latest endorsements together with Whoop, online game UFL and cryptocurrency change Binance.
Karim Benzema Actual Madrid stats
Benzema’s 354 targets throughout 14 years for Actual Madrid make him the Spanish giants’ second-highest all-time scorer behind former team-mate Ronaldo, who hit 451.
The 2022 World Cup runner-up with France has stated in interviews that he sees himself as an envoy for soccer in Saudi Arabia who can assist entice extra elite European footballers to the league.
After leaving Madrid a 12 months earlier than the tip of his contract, Benzema joined Al-Ittihad on a three-year contract in 2023.
Karim Benzema in Saudi Arabia
Benzema’s first season in Saudi Arabia produced a return of 13 targets and eight assists in 29 matches that was low by his prolific requirements as Al-Ittihad endured a turbulent 2023/24, ending with no trophy and sacking present Nottingham Forest supervisor Nuno Espirito Santo in November.
Former Barcelona sporting director Ramon Planes joined the nine-time champions in the identical function he held on the Spanish giants in January 2024, and ex-Paris Saint-Germain supervisor Laurent Blanc led them to glory in 2024/25, having taken over in July.
Benzema scored 25 instances in 33 appearances in all competitions final season, together with 21 within the league. Ronaldo’s 25 targets earned him the Saudi Professional League golden boot.
Karim Benzema wage, wages, contract
Benzema’s Al-Ittihad deal entitled the membership to pay him a wage of as much as $100 million (round £83m), in line with The Athletic.
He was reported to have been contemplating retirement final season and has stated in interviews that he sees himself as an envoy for soccer in Saudi Arabia who can assist entice extra elite European footballers to the league.
Benzema turned down affords to return to Europe as a result of his picture rights deal commits him to Saudi Arabia till 2030, in line with ESPN.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Al Nassr fixtures
Al-Nassr are subsequent in motion at residence to Al-Ittihad on Friday (17:30 GMT). Two-time African Footballer of the Yr Sadio Mane scored the one aim of the sport – arrange by Portugal ahead Joao Felix – of their 1-0 win at Al-Riyadh on Monday.
Al-Hilal stay unbeaten within the league however had been held to a 3rd straight draw with a goalless stalemate at Al-Ahli on the identical day.
Simone Inzaghi’s aspect host Al-Hazem on Thurday (17:30 GMT). Matches are proven stay on the Saudi Professional League’s YouTube channel.
