Karim Benzema's former Real Madrid teammates Luka Modric, Marcelo and Vinicius Junior reacted after the forward smashed a hat-trick on his Al-Hilal Debut.
Karim Benzema scores hat-trick on Al-Hilal debut
The 38-year-old striker made a surprising deadline day switch from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal on a free transfer. Just three days after his transfer was done, the French forward opened his Al-Hilal account by scoring against Al-Okhdood as they clinched a 6-0 win.
Benzema kicked off the scoring just after the half-hour mark in style with a clinical back-heel touch after banking on a loose ball inside the area. The former Real Madrid man doubled his tally on the hour mark with a low, close-range shot and completed his hat-trick with another close-range attempt four minutes later.
In the 71st minute of the game, Benzema provided an assist by setting up Malcom for Al-Hilal's fourth. A Salem Al Dawsari brace in the 74th and 93rd minutes completed the rout.
After the game, Benzema took to social media to express his excitement regarding an unforgettable debut and thanked the fans.
"Proud of the team. Thank you for the support and the warm welcome," he wrote.
Benzema's former Real Madrid teammates reacts
Modric, Marcelo, and Vinicius were among the Frenchman's former teammates who took the comments to congratulate him.
Modric commented there were three fire emojis, while Marcelo reacted with a smiling face with hearts and fire emojis. Vinicius, who the remains the active Real Madrid player, wrote:
"KB oscuridad."
How Benzema fared so far this season
It was a great start for the striker after rejecting a contract extension offer from Al-Ittihad to join Al-Hilal. He has now scored 11 goals in 15 Saudi Pro League games this season.
Karim Benzema's overall stats in SPL
So far, he has played 65 games in the SPL, amassing 41 goals. He was named Player of the Season after leading Al-Ittihad to league title last season and is on course to return the accolade.
Benzema reflects on Al-Hilal's 6-0 win vs Al-Okhdood
Benzema could not have asked for a better debut for Al-Hilal and was happy after they made light work of 17th-placed Al-Okhdood.
"It was an important game today. So we are happy, we play well, we do a clean sheet and we score so we are happy," he said post-match.
"Everybody is good with me they give me everything so when I am on the pitch I give everything for them," he added.
Al-Hilal will lock horns with Shabab Al-Ahli in the AFC Champions League on Monday, February 9, before coming back to league action against Al-Ettifaq on February 13.