Benzema's dream is shattered

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UEFA Europa League

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Anderlecht Lyon

16/09/26 21:00:00

3.50 3.50 1.91

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Karim Benzema, a 38-year-old French forward, was willing to return for free to Olympique de Lyon during the transfer market after emerging as a real option for the club where he was trained. The deal did not progress, and the attacker, who terminated his contract with Al-Hilal on August 31st, remains without a team despite becoming a free agent.

The return was considered by Lyon's management during the summer, as revealed by L'Équipe. Benzema saw ending his career in France positively and was willing to do so without a salary from the club, removing one of the main financial obstacles of the potential move.

INFO L'ÉQUIPE. L'OL thought of Karim Benzema this summer. The Ballon d'Or 2022 was enthusiastic about returning for a season to his training club without being paid, but...
➡️ https://t.co/u9lybKh1Hv pic.com/5mls5TVvjc

— L'Équipe (@lequipe) September 5, 2026

Karim Benzema was ready to play for free at Olympique de Lyon

The interest represented closing the circle that began before his arrival at Real Madrid. Karim Benzema was developed at Olympique de Lyon and scored 66 goals with his first team before moving to the white team in 2009.

The sports management even considered his signing to make him available for Paulo Fonseca. The player, on his part, had changed his mind from expressing doubts months ago about returning to wear Lyon's jersey and was ready to face one last stage at home.

There was, however, an initial obstacle during the transfer window: Benzema still belonged to Al-Hilal. The forward had arrived in February from Al-Ittihad with a contract until June 2027, after playing 83 matches, scoring 54 goals, and providing 17 assists for his previous Saudi club.

That issue disappeared on August 31st. Al-Hilal and Benzema agreed to terminate the contract prematurely after just six months together. The Frenchman concluded that period with 16 matches and 10 goals, becoming a free agent able to sign for another team outside the regular transfer windows where regulations allow.

A contract until 2030 hinders his return to France

Becoming available from Al-Hilal, however, has not completely cleared the path. As per L'Équipe, Benzema has a contract as an ambassador for the Saudi competition until 2030, an agreement he intends to honor and which currently prohibits him from playing in a foreign league.

This affiliation explains why Lyon could not materialize the interest in a transfer despite the potential absence of salary costs. The hindrance did not lie in a federative contract with a club but in the commercial commitments undertaken by the striker in Saudi Arabia.

The situation leaves the question mark about his next destination. Benzema does not necessarily consider retirement even though he will turn 39 years old on December 19th, and after terminating with Al-Hilal, he is now available to contemplate his sporting future.

The forthcoming step for Karim Benzema precisely involves resolving the scope that the agreement valid until 2030 allows him. As long as it obstructs him from competing outside Saudi Arabia, the return to Olympique de Lyon will remain blocked, and his footballing future will rely on opportunities within Saudi football or a modification of that commitment.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Se rompe el sueño de Benzema