Benzema at odds with Inzaghi at Al-Hilal, €123M termination blocks everything

Karim Benzema and Al-Hilal appear on the brink of a split. According to multiple sources, manager Simone Inzaghi now wants to part ways with the French striker, despite having celebrated his arrival in Saudi Arabia. Benzema, for his part, refuses to facilitate his departure.

Tension between the two men reportedly began building several weeks before escalating on the first day of the Saudi championship on August 14 against Al-Faisaly. Starting that evening, Benzema opened the scoring from the penalty spot before being substituted by Kader Meïté in the 70th minute. A substitution that reportedly particularly irritated the Frenchman: visibly upset as he left the pitch, he exchanged words with Inzaghi, then returned to his manager a second time after the final whistle.

This incident reportedly further damaged an already fragile relationship. To prepare for life after Benzema, Inzaghi reportedly identified Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins as his priority. Al-Hilal reportedly even reached an agreement with the English club — suggesting the idea of replacing Benzema was already well established before the Al-Faisaly clash. The arrival of the English international is reportedly conditional on the Frenchman’s departure, due to restrictions on the number of foreign players allowed in the squad.

This is where the situation becomes complicated. According to newspaper AS, Benzema reportedly already rejected an offer from a promoted Saudi championship club. The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner would only consider leaving on one condition: contract termination with full payment of his final year’s salary. An operation estimated at approximately €123 million according to Sportune, which makes the equation nearly impossible for Al-Hilal and leaves Benzema’s future in Saudi Arabia at an impasse.