‘Ask them’ – Karim Benzema in heated confrontation with reporter following controversial transfer

Karim Benzema became embroiled in a fiery exchange with a reporter moments after scoring a hattrick on his Al Hilal debut.

The 38-year-old striker turned down a contract extension at Al Ittihad to join the Saudi Pro League leaders on Monday.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s protest

The transfer has caused a stir with former Real Madrid teammate and Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo who is believed to be ‘upset’ about PIF’s management of some Saudi clubs including his own.

talkSPORT understands the Portuguese star’s gripes were due to his failure in understanding how fellow PIF-controlled club Al Hilal were approved the required funds to match Benzema’s wage demands.

Ronaldo is not believed to have a personal issue with Benzema’s switch.

As a result, Ronaldo refused to play in Al Nassr’s match against Al Riyadh on Monday and although he returned to training this week, he could still boycott Friday’s game against Benzema’s former club Al Ittihad.

Tensions rose between Benzema and Al Ittihad after the Frenchman received Al Ittihad’s contract renewal terms.

The former Ballon d’Or winner considered the offer to be insulting and subsequently agreed a one-year contract with Al Hilal.

However, despite scepticism over the deal, Al Hilal claimed that minority owner Prince Alwaleed bin Talal financed the Benzema transfer.

The former Lyon and Real Madrid striker kicked off life at his new club in the perfect way by netting a hattrick in a 6-0 win at Al Akhdoud on Thursday evening.

The comfortable victory handed Al Hilal a three-point advantage over second -placed Al Ahli at the top of the table.

Tense exchange

After the final whistle, Benzema clashed with a reporter who quizzed him on why he chose to leave Al Ittihad for Al Hilal.

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“Do you want to talk about the game or do you want to talk about that? Talk about the game,” Benzema responded.

“It was a nice performance. I feel good. With these kinds of players on this team, we play and fight together.”

The reporter then asked: “Do you mean they [Al Hilal players] helped you more than Al Ittihad players?”

Benzema replied: “I didn’t say that. I said I feel good, it’s different.”

The veteran striker was then asked: “Why didn’t you say goodbye to the Al Ittihad players?”

That prompted an angry Benzema to reply: “What? You know? You know? Ask them.”

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The ongoing controversy over Benzema’s transfer coupled with Ronaldo’s refusal to line up for his club led the Saudi Pro League to release a statement.

It read: “The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules.

“Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership.

“Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance.

“That framework applies equally across the league.”