Watch: Footballers Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane perform Umrah after moving to Saudi

Al Ittihad captain and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has been having a great season in Saudi Po League and enjoying his time in the kingdom. The star player, who is also a devout Muslim, shared a video early Monday while performing Umrah in Makkah.

While sharing the video on his Instagram and X platforms, the former Real Madrid footballer was heard saying: “Mashallah, the best of the best. Alhamdulillah [praise be to God].”

Draping himself in an ihram (white clothing), Benzema recorded the video while circumambulating or performing Tawaf (to perform seven anti-clockwise circuits of the Kaaba). He captioned the post in French, which translates to “very happy.” The video generated millions of views.

This is not the first time Benzema performed Umrah. In 2016 he visited Saudi Arabia and completed the pilgrimage.

Newly-signed Al Nassr footballer, Sadio Mane also performed Umrah pilgrimage just hours after his debut for the club on Thursday, August 3. Mane was captured in a viral video, alongside some of his Muslim teammates, including former RC Lens captain Seko Fofana, embarking on this journey.

Saudi Pro League

Football clubs in the Saudi Arabia have signed a host of major stars beginning with Cristiano Ronaldo last year and continuing with Karim Benzema, Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane this year, though overtures to Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi have been unsuccessful.

The Saudi Pro League is "determined to be a success" and will keep attracting some of the biggest names in football, according to one of its top executives.

• Saint-Maximin becomes the latest Premier League player to join Saudi Pro League