A report by French newspaper L’Équipe reveals that Olympique Lyonnais attempted to re-sign former star Karim Benzema following the veteran striker’s contract termination with Saudi side Al-Hilal. However, a separate contractual arrangement with the Saudi Pro League halted a transfer that would have provided a fairytale finish to his career.
Benzema welcomed the idea of returning to Lyon for a single season and was reportedly willing to play without a salary, helping overcome the financial constraints preventing the French club from affording a player of his stature. The 38-year-old viewed donning his boyhood club’s shirt once more as the ideal opportunity to bring his career full circle.
However, the complication stemmed not from his athletic contract with Al-Ittihad or Al-Hilal, but rather from an image rights and promotional ambassador agreement signed with the Saudi Pro League running through 2030. Under this deal, Benzema serves as an official ambassador for the league and Saudi football’s broader development project, receiving financial compensation independent of his club salary.
According to the report, the agreement includes restrictions that prevent Benzema from representing any club outside Saudi Arabia for the duration of the contract. This clause made a move to Lyon impossible without reaching a new settlement with Saudi league officials, despite the player being a free agent following his mutual contract termination with Al-Hilal.
Benzema departed Al-Hilal just six months after joining from Al-Ittihad in February 2026, despite a contract that ran through June 2027. The French forward scored 10 goals and provided 5 assists across 16 appearances for the Riyadh-based club, which featured a debut hat-trick against Al-Okhdood.
Benzema initially began his Saudi venture with Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 after his historic exit from Real Madrid, leading the Jeddah club to a domestic double of the Saudi Pro League and King Cup. Following strained renewal negotiations, he moved to Al-Hilal, concluding his competitive playing stint in the Kingdom having claimed a league title, two cups, and a Player of the Year award.
A potential return to Lyon carried deep emotional significance for Benzema, who was born in the city and progressed through the club’s youth academy before making 148 first-team appearances and scoring 66 goals between 2005 and 2009. During his initial spell, he won four Ligue 1 titles and a Coupe de France before moving to Real Madrid for the defining chapter of his career.
While the failed transfer does not mean Benzema has officially decided to retire, hanging up his boots has become the most likely scenario unless his promotional contract can be renegotiated. The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner finds himself as a free agent capable of playing at the highest level, yet restricted from pursuing his desired final European chapter—one he was prepared to play for free to complete.
