Karim Benzema and Lyna Khoudri appear to confirm dating rumours after making public appearance together at Cannes festival

Karim Benzema appears to have confirmed rumours that he and French-Algerian actress Lyna Khoudri are a new couple.

On Friday night, the pair made a dazzling appearance at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival hand in hand.

For months, social media sleuths have played detective. 

Back in December 2024, internet users began to notice Benzema, 37, routinely ‘liking’ Khoudri’s (32) Instagram posts. 

Spanish outlets such as Mundo Deportivo, picked up on the story, suggesting the pair had grown close.

But it was not until last night that the speculation gained a solid footing. 

The public appearance has been widely interpreted as a hard launch of their relationship. 

While the couple didn’t make any official statement, their hand-in-hand arrival at the premiere of "The Apprentice" was a statement in itself.

The timing of this public debut is raising eyebrows, particularly in light of Benzema’s rumoured split from model Jordan Ozuna, with whom he shares a child. 

Their romance, which began in 2022, seemed strong until cracks began to show earlier this year.

Fans had spotted that the Al Itiihad star and the 34-year-old model had unfollowed each other on Instagram.

In an interview with El Mundo, Ozuna opened up about her relationship with Benzema as well as converting to Islam during their relationship. 

"From the start, I felt he was something different. Karim is an amazing guy. We laughed so much together... When I say he's my best friend , I mean it."

“I have converted to Islam. It was here in the Mosque of Madrid. They recite the Quran... It's a small and intimate ceremony. I cried like a child. I'm very sentimental."

However, it would seem the pair are no longer together.

Benzema, 37, is currently playing for Saudi club Al-Ittihad, where he recently clinched the 2024/25 Saudi Pro League title. 

Meanwhile, Khoudri, 32, continues her ascent in international cinema.

The César-winning actress will soon appear in "Eagles of the Republic" and "13 Days, 13 Nights", the latter based on the French evacuation from Kabul.