Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia announced the termination of the contract of Benzema, who is 38 years old, after a short experience with the team, following his departure from his former club, Al-Ittihad Saudi Arabia.
Benzema’s name has been linked to a number of clubs in Saudi Arabia and Europe, most notably Milan, Barcelona, and his former team, Olympique Lyonnais, while reports indicated interest from Saudi youth in obtaining his services.
The Foot Mercato website stated that the French striker does not want to retire from football, and is committed to continuing his career on the field, while a French journalist revealed that Benzema may soon announce his next destination.
Despite these movements and the news circulating about his future, Benzema’s delay in finding a new team can be explained by several reasons, the first of which is:
Huge salary
Karim Benzema used to receive a huge salary during his experiences with Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, and the value of what he received exceeded 100 million euros, which is a number that is difficult for many clubs to bear.
Therefore, the French striker will be required to make significant financial concessions if he wants to move to a new team, especially in Europe, where there is less ability to give him a salary similar to what he received in the Saudi League.
Age factor
Karim Benzema is 38 years old, which represents an influential factor in the calculations of clubs wishing to sign him, especially those looking for a long-term project.
As he grows older, the French striker may find it more difficult to convince major clubs to include him, which may push him to consider lower-level options than the teams he has played for over the past years.
Decline in level and injuries
Although Karim Benzema scored 10 goals in 16 matches with Al Hilal, he did not perform at the level expected of him during the recent period, and he also suffered absence in a number of matches due to injury, and the striker who was disturbing the opponents’ defenses was no longer there, and his physical fitness declined.
Injuries and repeated absences affected his physical readiness. This may prompt clubs to hesitate before making a decision to sign him, especially given his age and high salary.
