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The 34-year-old Real Madrid star has deep ties to the Middle East and Dubai, where he has spent considerable time
Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Karim Benzema. – Twitter
As Karim Benzema basked in the glory of winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or, fans in the Middle East and especially in Dubai raised their glasses to the Frenchman.
The 34-year-old Real Madrid star has deep ties to the Middle East and Dubai, where he has spent considerable time.
Benzema enjoys the Dubai skyline. – Dubai Media Office Twitter
Benzema, of Algerian descent, is a devout Muslim who visited Saudi Arabia in 2016 and performed Umrah in Mecca.
Karim Benzema. – Twitter
Benzema, who has won a jaw-dropping 23 trophies with Real Madrid, including four La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey titles and five Champions League titles, is also a frequent visitor to Dubai, where he will spend the off-season on holiday and meet Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
During his stay in Dubai, Benzema also supported various social and community initiatives. In 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, call on all UAE people and all Muslims around the world to stay safe during the pandemic and urge them to take care of their loved ones.
“Salaam Alaikum, I’m Karim Benzema,” the striker, wearing an Arabic kandura, said in a video message at the time as part of the Dubai Sports Council’s (DSC) ‘Stay Healthy, Stay Safe’ campaign.
Karim Benzema at the ‘Stay Healthy, Stay Safe’ event. – screenshot
Benzema, a devout Muslim who observes the fast during Ramadan, added: “During this Ramadan, I have a message to all my friends in the UAE and all Muslims around the world. These times are difficult due to the coronavirus. Virus, to everyone. So, we need to continue to help each other through this crisis. Stay safe and take care of you and your loved ones. May God bless everyone. Love.”
In the same year, Benzema also received the “First Line of Defense Medal” issued by the Dubai Sports Council. He received the medal for his efforts to support DSC’s community initiatives during the Stay Healthy, Stay Safe campaign.
Benzema won the “First Line of Defense Medal”. – Twitter
Back in 2015, Benzema enjoyed the adrenaline rush and the view while skydiving at Skydive Dubai. The star has been spotted numerous times at popular landmarks in Dubai.
Benzema skydives in Dubai. – Twitter
In April of this year, Benzema and the UAE women’s team player Nuf Aranzi showed the official match ball for the 2022 World Cup-Al-Rihla. An image of him holding a game ball was projected onto the Burj Khalifa.
Benzema with Al Rihla, the official match ball for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. – Twitter
“The World Cup ball is the beginning of everything, the beginning of new beginnings, new possibilities and new memories. This is Al-Rihla inspired by the Arab world,” Benzema said.
In July, the Frenchman visited the Dubai Police Club with his son. He met with his fans and signed and photographed T-shirts.
Benzema poses in front of a Dubai police car. – Dubai Media Office Twitter
In June 2017, Benzema participated in the Nad Sheba Sports Championship and posed in front of Dubai police cars.
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