Former Real Madrid team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were reunited in the tunnel shortly before kick-off at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on December 26. The pair were all smiles as they exchanged pleasantries.
Ronaldo was still smiling 90 minutes later after converting two penalties in a 5-2 win for Al-Nassr. Benzema, though, was the picture of frustration as he left the field and, not longer after, deleted his social media accounts.
He knew what was coming: another barrage of abuse. Because while Ronaldo has been the best player in the Saudi Pro League this season, Benzema has been its biggest disappointment. Reigning champions Al-Ittihad have somehow managed to get worse with the French forward up front, and speculation over his future has only intensified after he reportedly failed to report back for training after the Saudi Pro League's winter break.
Indeed, while Ronaldo was posting a picture of himself in Riyadh on January 16 saying he was "back for more", many were wondering where Benzema was - and whether he would even return to Jeddah.
