Karim Benzema has shared a moment of reflection from Makkah, posting a photograph of himself performing Umrah at the Grand Mosque. Dressed in traditional ihram, the 38-year-old former Real Madrid star accompanied the image with the phrase, “Alhamdulillah for everything,” an Arabic expression of gratitude meaning “Praise be to Allah.”
This sentiment echoes the message the Frenchman used to conclude his farewell statement to Al Hilal on August 31. His departure from the Saudi club was finalized through a mutual agreement to terminate his contract, bringing an end to a tenure that lasted approximately six months.
During his brief stint in Saudi Arabia, the veteran striker made 16 appearances across all competitions, contributing 10 goals and five assists while helping the team secure the King’s Cup. Despite his exit from the club, Benzema maintains a connection to the region through an ambassadorial agreement with the Saudi Pro League that extends until 2030.
As a free agent, Benzema is currently evaluating his options for the next phase of his career. Earlier this summer, he was linked with a potential return to his former club, Lyon. Matthieu Louis Jean, the sporting director at Lyon, confirmed that discussions took place via an intermediary but noted that the player’s contractual situation ultimately prevented a deal from moving forward.
Beyond high-profile European interest, Benzema has also received an unconventional invitation from the United Arab Emirates. The Arabian Falcons, a club in the UAE Second Division, extended an offer for the Ballon d’Or winner to train and compete with them on a short-term basis. The club’s manager, former Premier League midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, encouraged stars currently without clubs to join the team in Dubai to stay match-fit while waiting for permanent opportunities.
The invitation to the UAE side included other prominent free agents such as Paul Pogba, Raheem Sterling, and Jadon Sancho. The initiative aims to provide these players with a platform to maintain their competitive edge without the pressure of long-term commitments.
While speculation regarding his next destination continues, reports indicate that Benzema remains committed to his professional playing career. For the moment, however, the striker has offered no further clarity on his future, focusing instead on his personal time in Makkah. The report also notes that former Liverpool and Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, had a simple message for the stars still looking for clubs: “Don’t sit on the sidelines; come and show what you’ve got over in Dubai.”, their manager. The report also notes that get competitive minutes and then leave when the right opportunity arrives, the idea is that players can train. The report also notes that “Alhamdulillah for everything…” which simply means “Praise be to Allah” or “Thanks to Allah for everything” and is commonly used to expressed gratutute in Arabic.