Aqla off the pitch: a fiery uprising demands Benzema's removal from Al-Hilal!
The French star suffers a major shock!
Karim Benzema is under fire again. Al-Hilal beat Al-Feiha 3-0 on Thursday evening in the second round of the Roshn Saudi Pro League, but their French forward left the pitch to fresh criticism after a display that failed to satisfy the fans despite the three points.
Handed a start against Al-Feiha, Benzema failed to leave a clear attacking mark. The question marks over his level at Al-Hilal remain, and this was his third consecutive appearance across all competitions without the contribution expected of him.
The win was Al-Hilal's second in a row in the Roshn Saudi Pro League, lifting them to six points. Yet Benzema's level stayed a subject of wide debate among fans, who believe the team needs far more from its French forward, whether in goals or in creating danger.
Fans launch a revolt against Benzema
On X, Al-Hilal supporters ramped up their calls for Benzema to leave, aiming strong criticism at the Frenchman. Some believe the player can no longer provide what is required and that his continued presence risks becoming a burden on the team's technical project.
Certain observers went further, insisting Benzema will offer nothing new in the coming period. They urged the technical staff, led by Italian Simone Inzaghi, to take a clear decision over him amid the persistent dissatisfaction with his level since the start of the season.
Adding to the pressure is the sheer weight of expectation attached to his name. Benzema is a global star with a long history, which is why the fans are not content with mere participation. They want influential attacking roles that help Al-Hilal compete for every title.
Al-Shenaif adds to the ambiguity over Benzema's future
The criticism reached the sports media too. Pundit Khaled Al-Shenaif spoke about Benzema's situation on the programme "Doreena Ghair", offering an analysis that stirred further controversy over the player's focus.
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"Benzema's mind is outside the pitch," Al-Shenaif said, suggesting the French forward may not be fully focused within matches. From his point of view, that could explain the decline in his output and his failure to deliver as expected.
All of this leaves Benzema facing a genuine test in the matches to come. Al-Hilal have started the season strongly for results, but persistent doubts over their most important forward could grow more complicated as the level of competition rises.
Benzema has the chance to answer on the pitch. This start has not matched the aspirations of Al-Hilal's fans, who signed up to watch the player brought in to make the difference. The key question lingers: will the French forward rediscover his level quickly, or will the pressure demanding his exit from Al-Hilal keep building?
