French star Karim Benzema celebrates his goal against Al-Akhdood in his first match with Al-Hilal, Thursday, February 5, 2026.
French star Karim Benzema began his journey with Al-Hilal with a remarkable performance, leading the team to a big victory over Al-Akhdood, scoring a hat-trick in his first appearance wearing the “Leader’s” jersey in the Saudi Professional League.
The match between Al-Hilal and Al-Akhdood was part of the 21st round of the Roshn League, held at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, and witnessed a remarkable brilliance from Benzema, who shook the home team’s net three times in the 31st, 60th, and 64th minutes.
Fifth ‘Hat-trick’ for Karim Benzema
Benzema confirmed through this strong performance his technical value as one of the most prominent global deals witnessed by the Saudi League in recent years, registering his fifth hat-trick in the Roshn League. He had previously scored four hat-tricks with his former team, Al-Ittihad Jeddah, before adding the fifth hat-trick with Al-Hilal’s jersey.
Ironically, Al-Akhdood witnessed Benzema’s first hat-trick in the Saudi League when he scored a hat-trick against them in the first round of the season with Al-Ittihad Jeddah. The French star returned to repeat the same achievement against the same team, but this time wearing Al-Hilal’s jersey.
Contribution of Four Goals
Benzema’s impact was not limited to scoring goals only, as he assisted Al-Hilal’s fourth goal, scored by Brazilian Malcolm de Oliveira. The French star directly contributed to four of the five goals his team scored in the match, an achievement recorded for him for the second time during his career in Saudi stadiums.
Benzema became the first Al-Hilal player to score a hat-trick in the Roshn League during the 2025-2026 season, despite playing his first official match with the team, which positively reflected on the attacking strength of the leading team.
637 Goal Contributions
On the level of his professional career, Karim Benzema has played 854 matches so far with the clubs he played for and the French national team, scoring 470 goals and making 167 assists, with a total of 637 goal contributions.
Al-Hilal had contracted with Benzema during the last winter transfer period in a free transfer deal, after his relationship with Al-Ittihad Jeddah ended and the two parties failed to reach an agreement to renew the contract.
Al-Hilal continues to lead the Saudi Professional League standings with 50 points, while Al-Akhdood suffers in the lower positions, occupying the 17th, second-to-last place with only 10 points.
Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema is not a place or cultural site, but a French professional footballer. He is best known for his long and successful career at Real Madrid, where he won numerous trophies and became the club’s second-highest all-time goalscorer. Born in Lyon to Algerian parents, he began his professional career at Olympique Lyonnais before his historic transfer to Madrid in 2009.
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal is a professional football club based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, founded in 1957. It is one of Asia’s most successful clubs, with a record number of Saudi Pro League titles and multiple Asian Champions League victories. The club has a deep-rooted history and a massive fan base, symbolizing national pride and sporting excellence in the region.
Al-Akhdood
Al-Akhdood is an archaeological site in Najran, southwestern Saudi Arabia, mentioned in the Quran as a place of divine punishment for a people who rejected their prophet. Excavations have revealed a fortified ancient city with tombs, inscriptions, and evidence of burning, which some associate with the Quranic narrative. It is considered a significant historical and religious site in the region.
Saudi League
The Saudi League, officially known as the Saudi Pro League, is the top tier of professional football in Saudi Arabia, founded in 1976. It has grown into a major football competition in Asia and gained significant global attention starting in 2023 due to high-profile international player signings.
Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium
Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium is a major multi-purpose sports venue located in Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia. It was inaugurated in 2017 and is primarily used for football matches, serving as the home stadium for Al-Tai Football Club. The stadium is named in honor of Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz, a prominent figure in the region’s modern history.
Roshn League
The Roshn Saudi League is the top professional football division in Saudi Arabia, founded in 1976. It gained significant international attention in 2023 after major clubs began signing global star players, with its naming rights sponsored by the real estate development company ROSHN, a subsidiary of the country’s Public Investment Fund.
Al-Ittihad Jeddah
Al-Ittihad Jeddah is a major professional football club based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, founded in 1927. It is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the country, historically associated with the city’s merchant community. The club has won numerous Saudi Professional League titles and Asian Champions League trophies.
Malcolm de Oliveira
Malcolm de Oliveira is not a widely recognized place or cultural site in available historical or cultural records. It may refer to a personal name or a lesser-known local reference rather than an established landmark. Without verifiable information, a substantive summary of its history cannot be provided.
French national team
The French national football team, known as “Les Bleus,” is the representative men’s team of France in international football, governed by the French Football Federation. It was formed in 1904 and has won two FIFA World Cup titles, first as hosts in 1998 and again in 2018, cementing its status as a global football powerhouse. The team is also known for its diverse squads, often reflecting France’s multicultural society.
Saudi Professional League
The Saudi Professional League is the top division of professional football in Saudi Arabia, founded in 1976. It has grown to become one of the most prominent and financially competitive leagues in Asia, with its clubs, such as Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, achieving significant success in continental competitions.
