Karim Benzema 'visibly uncomfortable' as Al Ittihad teammates chant his name

Karim Benzema appeared visibly uncomfortable as his Al Ittihad teammates chanted his name.

Last month Ballon d'Or winner Benzema ended a 14-year-spell at Real Madrid to join the Saudi Arabian champions on a lucrative three-year deal,

The 35-year-old won 25 trophies, including five Champions League and four La Ligas, with Los Blancos, netting 354 goals for the club, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Benzema cited wanting to live in a Muslim country as a reason for making the move, however, the financial package he is receiving would have also been a motivating factor.

The France international will allegedly earn just shy of £200million a season at Al Ittihad, who are one of four leading Saudi Arabian clubs to be taken over by the country's Public Investment Fund. Indeed, Benzema’s contract sees him make around £6 a second.

Benzema serenaded by teammates

Footage has emerged of Benzema’s teammates serenading their new striker with a chant on the team bus.

As seen in the video below, the forward, who is sitting at the back of the coach with his headphones still lodged in his ears, wears a blank expression as the Al Ittihad players enthusiastically sing to their star attacker.

Benzema then joins in, unenthusiastically clapping along to the tune, prompting hilarious responses on social media.

Get French Football News wrote: “Karim Benzema visibly uncomfortable as his Al Ittihad team-mates chant his name.”

Meanwhile, one social media wrote: “Bro doesn't want to be there,” while another tweeted: “From the biggest club in the world to that.”

A third person said: “Bro's starving for that first payday.”

2018 World Cup winner N’Golo Kante has also joined Al Ittihad on a three-year deal, joining his compatriot Benzema.

Reports suggest the former Leicester City midfielder has signed a deal worth around £86million-a-year.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Pro League outfit have signed Portuguese winger Jota from Celtic for £25million.

Jota, who has signed a three-year deal at Al Ittihad, netted 15 goals and provided 12 assists last season as Celtic claimed a domestic treble.

Topics: Karim Benzema, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Fan Reactions

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.