Benzema rejects AFC Champions League Elite–only squad registration, Al-Hilal plans on hold

French forward Karim Benzema has rejected a proposal from the Saudi club's technical staff to register him only for the AFC Champions League Elite squad in the new season, according to 365Scores. The 37-year-old has insisted on being part of the main squad covering all domestic and continental competitions. The club had been considering applying the same formula used last season for Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez, at the request of Italian head coach Simone Inzaghi. That approach was paused after Benzema's stance, the report said. Nunez, who has not featured in an official match since February, has continued training with the squad while under contract, though his future remains unresolved. Nunez was left out of domestic matchday squads under the club's foreign-player quota, a restriction that resurfaced following Benzema's arrival. The management is assessing that any conflict with the French striker could disrupt the team's balance and has put the decision on hold for now. No further details on the squad plans were immediately available.