Rihanna -- Clubbing With Karim Benzema ... Soccer Star Drops $$$ On Roses

Things are heating up QUICKLY between Rihanna and soccer superstar Karim Benzema ... 'cause after the two partied in Hollywood together Monday night, Benzema capped off the night with a cheesy romantic finishing move ... ROSES!!!

TMZ Sports spotted RiRi and the Real Madrid stud on their way out of Henry's ... and even though they left separately, it was pretty obvious they were there together.

As we previously reported, the two had been hanging out on the East Coast (after flirting online last year) ... and even met up for a late night food run in NYC just last week.

Which bring us back to last night ... when Benzema shelled out a bunch of cash to the infamous rose lady on his way out of the club ... seems like a shameless attempt to close the deal.

Wonder if it worked.