Footage of Karim Benzema being unveiled as a new Al-Ittihad player has piqued widespread attentions online late on Thursday evening.
This comes owing to the sheer extravagance of the ceremony.
The subject of Benzema’s shock move to Saudi Arabia has of course dominated football headlines across the week to date.
This comes after the Frenchman, less than a year on from winning the Ballon d’Or, opted against putting pen to paper on fresh terms with La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid.
Instead, ‘Benz’ has opted to join ex-Blancos teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, in the Roshn Saudi League.
The veteran striker is understood to have put pen to paper on a monstrous contract, worth an eye-watering £170 million-per-year.
Madrid, Spain. Credit, 15th Mar, 2023. Karim Benzema: UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain. Credit: D. Nakashima/AFLO/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
In front of a packed crowd of over 60,000 at the King Abdullah Stadium, the 35-year-old was introduced by way of an extraordinary light show, featuring flames as well as a fireworks display.
Check out footage of Al-Ittihad’s big night below:
⚫🟡#بنزيما يدخل ملعب الجوهرة بقميص رقم9️⃣#حفل_بنزيما | #Benzema#SSC pic.twitter.com/9om56ejaiR
— شركة الرياضة السعودية SSC (@ssc_sports) June 8, 2023
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