During Al Ittihad’s Saudi Pro League match against Al Riyadh, Karim Benzema opted to delegate penalty taking duties to one of his teammates.

The French forward, who was one of the division’s headline signings this summer, had previously given Al Ittihad a 1-0 lead with his first Saudi Pro League goal.

When Abderrazak Hamdallah was tripped by a defender as he prepared to shoot, Al Ittihad was awarded a penalty.

Benzema is the club’s designated penalty taker, and he picked up the ball before approaching the spot.

But he then chose to forego the chance to score a hat trick, instead passing the ball to Hamdallah. The Moroccan striker scored his third goal in three games with a penalty kick into the upper left corner.

Benzema’s goal came after 17 minutes, with the 35-year-old doing most of the work alone.

He received the ball in his own half before racing past the Al Riyadh midfield.

He then sent the ball into the box to Brazilian midfielder Romarinho, who played a one-two with Benzema.

The former Real Madrid player displayed trademark grace and composure by stopping the ball and allowing the Al Riyadh defender to commit to a challenge before scoring from 10 yards out.

His goal came amid bombshell reports from Saudi publication Asharq Al-Awsat that manager Nuno Espirito Santo told the Al Ittihad board that Benzema does not fit into his tactical style and that he was not requested to sign by the club. They also claim Benzema is ‘uncomfortable’ at the club.

Al Ittihad, on the other hand, later shared a video of the forward to social media with the phrase “KB9 always happy,” which appeared to refute the charges. Benzema’s official account reposted the video.