Football
Cristiano Ronaldo Deletes Benzema Mecca Video After Uproar
Cristiano Ronaldo briefly reshared a video of Karim Benzema inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca before deleting it, prompting widespread speculation online.
Saudi social media was thrown into debate after Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese star and captain of Al Nassr, reshared a video of Karim Benzema inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca while he was performing Hajj, then removed it shortly afterward.
The repost quickly became a talking point across platforms, helped by Ronaldo’s popularity in Saudi Arabia since his move to Al Nassr and by his close relationship with Benzema, who joined Al Hilal in the latest winter transfer window after leaving Al Ittihad. The episode spread within minutes into a major subject of discussion among fans and followers.
At the end of the Saudi Pro League season, Al Nassr won the title for the 11th time in its history under Ronaldo, while Al Hilal finished second, two points behind. Benzema, meanwhile, scored 25 goals and provided five assists in 34 matches across all competitions during the current season.
Why the repost disappeared
Some followers said the most likely explanation was that the repost had been made by mistake, either by Ronaldo or by the team handling his social media accounts. They pointed to how quickly the video was deleted after it spread widely on Saturday morning.
That did not stop fans from linking the move to other speculation, including the idea that Ronaldo did not want to reopen talk about a possible desire to convert to Islam, a rumor that has followed him since he settled in Saudi Arabia and adapted clearly to local culture.
The scale of the online reaction
The large reaction to the clip also played an important part in the rapid deletion, as Ronaldo’s name reached trending lists in record time and the repost turned into a public and media issue that went beyond a routine social media share.
With no official clarification from Ronaldo, all explanations remain on the table. What is certain is that any digital move by the Portuguese star is now capable of setting off a huge wave of engagement, reflecting his global influence, especially within the Saudi sports scene, which has seen an exceptional presence of global stars in recent years.
