Karim Benzema arrived in his native Béjaïa, Algeria, on Saturday, June 1, 2024. The former Real Madrid star received a warm welcome from fans and local authorities.
The Franco-Algerian’s visit to his parents’ homeland had been eagerly anticipated for several months and was officially announced a week ago.
During his stay in Algeria, Benzema will attend the Algeria-Guinea match at the Nelson-Mandela Stadium on Thursday, June 6, as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
“I hope they play a good game and win,” commented the Saudi Pro League player from Al-Ittihad, who visited France earlier in the week.
“It’s my first time in Algeria and in Béjaïa, so I’m very happy to be here. I’m going to see my family and share moments with the Algerians, it’s nothing but happiness,” he said.
Karim Benzema also plans to visit his father’s native village, Tighzert, in the Ait Djellil commune.
“We’re going to give him a warm and popular welcome. He will visit his grandfather’s house and pay his respects at the village cemetery,” Ghani Ouali, mayor of Ait Djellil, told Algerian media.
Additionally, Benzema will make a stopover in Oran, his mother’s hometown.
(AP)
