Thinking. 1. **Analyze the Request:** * **Keyword:** Karim Benzema Salary 2026 * **Context snippets provided:** * "In this video, we break down the complete and updated" -> Too generic without the rest, but implies a breakdown/video script style. The article should provide a complete and updated breakdown. * "Discover the Top 119 Highest-Paid French Football Players in" -> Context of ranking, comparison. * "Saudi Pro League highest paid players (2025–" -> Context of the league, current contracts, highest paid. * "Real Madrid Player" -> Context of his history. * "Football" -> Broad context. * "______ WELCOME ______ #football #" -> YouTube intro style. * "KarimBenzema" -> Context keyword. * "🚨 BENZEMA TO AL-HILAL?! The transfer window could be shaken up again! After leaving Real Madrid, Karim Benzema is at the ..." -> Context of transfer rumors, leaving Real Madrid, Saudi Arabia. * **Requirements:** * 600-900 words. * Natural headings (h2, h3). * Avoid unsupported claims (must be factual/firmly grounded in known contract terms or widely reported figures). * Do not mention AI generation. * Return only safe HTML using `h2`, `h3`, `p`, `ul`, `ol`, `li`, `strong`, `em`. * **Core Task:** Write an original article about Karim Benzema's salary in 2026. * **Subject Matter:** * Karim Benzema's move to Al-Ittihad (summer 2023). * Reported salary: Widely reported as around €100 million per year (or $200m+, etc., regardless of the exact currency fluctuation, it's consistently reported as a massive figure). * Contract duration: 2 years + 1 optional year (so until 2025, or 2026 if option triggered). * "Salary 2026": This implies the article should focus on the current state of his contract, his earnings, and whether he will still be at Al-Ittihad on that salary in 2026, factoring in the option year and recent rumors of a move. * Recent rumors: "BENZEMA TO AL-HILAL?!" * Comparison: Highest paid in Saudi Pro League (vs. Ronaldo, Neymar, etc.). * Comparison: Highest-paid French player. * **Structure of the Article:** * **Title/Introduction:** Karim Benzema Salary 2026: Al-Ittihad Contract, Saudi Pro League Pay, and Future Plans * **H2: The Landmark Move to Al-Ittihad (2023)** * Contract details (2+1 years). * The total package (salary + commercial deals). Widely reported by Fabrizio Romano, L'Equipe, Marca. * Reason for leaving Real Madrid after winning the Ballon d'Or. * **H2: Breaking Down Benzema’s Salary for 2025/2026** * Current basic salary. * The option year. When is the 2026 salary decided? * The trigger for 2026 salary? (Usually performance, goals, or just club option). * Is he still earning this in 2026? Let's *project* based on the contract. If the option is picked up, yes. If not, he might be free or take a pay cut elsewhere. * *Self-Correction on "Avoid unsupported claims":* Stick to the reported terms. "According to widely reported figures...". * "As of 2026, Benzema’s status..." * **H2: How Benzema’s 2026 Salary Compares to Ronaldo and the Saudi Elite** * Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr, ~€200m/year + commercial deals). * Neymar (Al-Hilal,