Karim Benzema has arrived at Al-Hilal in spectacular fashion. Making his debut this Thursday, February 5th, the French striker needed only minutes to find the back of the net with a sublime backheel goal against Al-Okhdood in the 21st round of the Saudi Pro League.
The move follows a controversial exit from Al-Ittihad. Benzema reportedly rejected a renewal offer from his former club that he considered “insulting,” claiming the terms were equivalent to playing for free. During his time at Ittihad, the No. 9 was lethal, netting 54 goals in 83 games and leading them to a league title.
Cristiano Ronaldo Speaks Out: “Unfair Competition”
However, not everyone is celebrating the transfer. Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly expressed his discontent with the move. According to journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, the Portuguese icon believes that shifting top-tier stars between the league’s “Big Four” undermines the integrity of the competition.
Ronaldo’s frustration comes amidst his own standoff with Al-Nassr. Reports from A Bola suggest that CR7 is currently refusing to play, unhappy with how the Saudi government and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) are distributing investments among the top clubs.
Karim Benzema estreia com gol de calcanhar pelo Al Hilal!
pic.twitter.com/T7cy7MizbY— Leonardo Bertozzi (@lbertozzi) February 5, 2026
The PIF Monopoly
The Saudi Public Investment Fund, which controls Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Hilal, finds itself under scrutiny. Ronaldo’s camp argues that the PIF’s transfer strategy favors Al-Hilal, creating an imbalance in a league that is desperate for global credibility.
While Benzema celebrates his goal of the season contender, the political rift between the league’s two biggest stars threatens to overshadow the action on the pitch.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
