Former Real Madrid's Benzema accorded hero's welcome in Jeddah

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, surrounded by children taking part in a ceremony, waves to the crowd at Al-Ittihad's stadium in Jeddah, on June 8, 2023. - Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on June 8, a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi. (Photo by - / AFP)

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, enters Al-Ittihad's stadium in Jeddah, on June 8, 2023. - Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on June 8, a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi. (Photo by - / AFP)

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, gives a press conference at Al-Ittihad's stadium in Jeddah, on June 8, 2023. - Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on June 8, a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi. (Photo by - / AFP)

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, plays with a ball at Al-Ittihad's stadium in Jeddah, on June 8, 2023. - Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on June 8, a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi. (Photo by - / AFP)

Fans gather at at Al-Ittihad's stadium in Jeddah to welcome former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, on June 8, 2023. - Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on June 8, a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi. (Photo by - / AFP)

Fans watch fireworks at Al-Ittihad's stadium in Jeddah during a ceremony to unveil former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, on June 8, 2023. - Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on June 8, a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi. (Photo by Haitham EL-TABEI / AFP)

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, gives a press conference at Al-Ittihad's stadium in Jeddah, on June 8, 2023. - Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on June 8, a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi. (Photo by - / AFP)

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema hoists the Ballon d'Or, the trophy he won last year, above his head, at Al-Ittihad's stadium in Jeddah, on June 8, 2023. - Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on June 8, a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi. (Photo by - / AFP)

Fans gather at at Al-Ittihad's stadium in Jeddah to welcome former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, on June 8, 2023. - Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on June 8, a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi. (Photo by - / AFP)

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, greets children taking part in a ceremony, waves to the crowd at Al-Ittihad's stadium in Jeddah, on June 8, 2023. - Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on June 8, a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi. (Photo by - / AFP)

Fans watch fireworks at Al-Ittihad's stadium in Jeddah during a ceremony to unveil former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, on June 8, 2023. - Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on June 8, a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi. (Photo by - / AFP)

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, surrounded by children taking part in a ceremony, waves to the crowd at Al-Ittihad's stadium in Jeddah, on June 8, 2023. - Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia on June 8, a day after the oil-rich kingdom just failed to reel in Lionel Messi. (Photo by - / AFP)