What happened?

GNK Dinamo Zagreb confirmed that Ismaël Bennacer will not stay with the club. The midfielder has completed medicals in Doha and is set to sign for the Al‑Shamal side, according to Arab media. Bennacer arrived from AC Milan in 2019 for €16 million and spent last season on loan at Dinamo, playing 18 matches and scoring once.

Why is Dinamo letting Bennacer go?

Bennacer’s career stalled after a serious injury in the Champions League semi‑final against Inter in May 2023. Frequent injury problems reduced his value for Dinamo, and president Zvonimir Boban noted at a members' meeting that Maksimir could be an ideal setting for his recovery, provided he terminates his contract with Milan. Yet the player chose a fresh challenge in the Middle East.

How does this affect Dinamo?

Bennacer’s departure leaves a gap in midfield, forcing Dinamo to reinforce before the new HNL season starts. The club recently signed Colombian defender Jeison Murillo and midfielder Ali Asad from Al‑Sadd, showing a push for balance between defence and attack. Losing Bennacer, who logged 178 appearances, eight goals and 12 assists for Dinamo, means coach Igor Jovićević will need to tweak his tactical setup.

What’s next for Bennacer?

After receiving a release from Milan, Bennacer joins Al‑Shamal as a free agent. His new agent Fali Ramadani arranged a mutual termination with Milan, allowing the Italian giants to save roughly €7 million in gross wages. Al‑Shamal has recently bolstered its squad and expects Bennacer’s Serie A and Champions League experience to raise the quality of its midfield. Meanwhile, Algerian national team coach Vladimir Petković omitted Bennacer from the World Cup roster, adding extra motivation for the player to prove himself at his new club.