KARIM BENZEMA marked his Al-Hilal debut with a stunning hat-trick on Thursday – before arguing with a reporter.
The 38-year-old completed a free transfer to the Riyadh-based side from Al-Ittihad earlier this week.
Benzema allegedly clashed with Al-Ittihad chiefs last month due to a contract dispute, prompting him to go on strike.
He subsequently withdrew from the squad after being “insulted” by an offer presented to him.
Al-Hilal eventually agreed to sign him on a one-and-a-half-year deal with no fee involved.
And the striker got off to the best possible start in his first match, scoring a hat-trick and even getting an assist against Al Akhdoud.
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Al-Hilal went on to win the match 6-0 to move three points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.
However, things turned sour when Benzema got into a heated confrontation with a reporter while leaving the stadium.
The Frenchman was asked why he chose to leave Al-Ittihad for Al-Hilal.
He responded: “Do you want to talk about the game or do you want to talk about that? Talk about the game.
“It was a nice performance. I feel good. With these kind of players on this team, we play and fight together.”
However, the reporter pushed for a response about his move and went on to say: “Do you mean they [Al-Hilal players] helped you more than Al-Ittihad players?”
Benzema replied: “I didn’t say that. I said I feel good – it’s different.”
The journalist continued to ask him about the transfer and then questioned: “Why didn’t you say goodbye to the Al-Ittihad players?”
That prompted the striker to immediately hit back, saying: “What? You know? You know? Ask them.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is also facing scrutiny in Saudi Arabia following his decision to go on strike at Al-Nassr due to a problem with recruitment.
Ronaldo is reportedly furious about the apparent favouritism the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has shown to rival clubs in the Saudi Pro League during the transfer window.
Al-Nassr only signed one player last month in 21-year-old midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem – despite requests from head coach Jorge Jesus to recruit more.
Ronaldo complained as a result and subsequently refused to play in the Saudi Pro League match against Al-Riyadh on Monday.
He is now expected to miss tonight’s match against Al-Ittihad.
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