Benzema Sparks on the Court: A Football Star Turns Headlines in Saudi Basketball
6 February 2026
Match context
The French forward Karim Benzema, newly with Al Hilal, stirred a Saudi basketball clash between Al Ahli and Al Ittihad.
Al Ahli faced Al Ittihad today at the Green Hall in Jeddah, as part of the Saudi Premier League Basketball.
The game witnessed a fiery exchange between fans, with Benzema at the center as Al Ahli supporters teased their rivals over his winter transfer.
Benzema’s move to Al Hilal, on a free transfer after parting with Al Ittihad on the final day of the winter window, added extra spice to the showdown.
The Tigers’ crowd responded with intensity, as Al Ittihad clinched the 81-76 result, sparking further taunts from the Tigers’ side toward the Royals.
That banter intensified as Al Ahli failed to clinch the current Saudi Basketball League title, with the crown going to Al-Ula after they defeated Mudar 69-40.
Aftermath and title outcome
The episode left fans buzzing about cross-sport headlines and the unlikely crossovers between football transfers and basketball clashes in Saudi Arabia.
In the end, the league title went to Al-Ula, while Benzema’s basketball cameo became the talking point of the season so far.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: in this part of the world, even a football transfer can dribble its way into a basketball highlight reel.
Punchline time: If football really is life, Benzema just proved you can also dunk your way through a transfer window—and still keep your cape on for the post-match press conference. Note to the scoreboard: it’s not a hat-trick if the ball never crosses the three-point line.
Punchline 2: In Saudi hoops, the only thing heavier than a drumbeat is a rumor—fuel it with a free transfer and watch it bounce all the way to the locker room.
