By Advent Shoko
Karim Benzema didn’t just debut for Al-Hilal last night, he announced himself in spectacular fashion. The 38-year-old who joinied the Saudi giants on February 2 after leaving AI-Ittihad, scored a hat-trick and assisted a goal in a thrilling 6-0 win over Knowledge Musona’s former club Al-Akhdoud at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Stadium. Fans erupted each time he found the net in the 31st, 60th, and 64th minutes, celebrating a performance that immediately earned him man-of-the-match honors.
Benzema turned down a contract extension from Al-Ittihad, calling the terms “disrespectful.” The offer would have forced him to play without a fixed salary, relying only on income from his image rights, a proposal that left him feeling undervalued. Negotiations soon collapsed, and a complete breakdown with the club’s hierarchy followed, with Benzema even left out of the squad in the days leading up to his transfer. Frustrated by Al-Ittihad’s transfer policy and thin squad depth, he wanted a team that could truly compete at the top level. For Benzema, Al-Hilal represented a fresh sporting project, one he described as the “Real Madrid of Asia,” where he could challenge himself under Simone Inzaghi and play alongside a stronger, ambitious squad
Last night, teammates Malcom and Salem Al-Dawsari added flair with assists and goals, helping Benzema shine in a debut that fans will remember for years.
Beyond the stats, his performance rekindles the Saudi league’s biggest rivalry, setting up a showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. At 38, Benzema isn’t slowing down, he’s still thrilling fans and inspiring teammates, proving why he remains one of football’s all-time greats.
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