Karim Benzema, the former player of Al-Ittihad Saudi Club and Real Madrid, revealed special details about the visit of the president of the Royal Club, Florentino Perez, to his home in Lyon in 2009, before he signed for the Royal Club at that time.

Benzema said in an extended press interview: "I remember the day he came to my house in Lyon, in the difficult days, in the good days, during the Ballon d'Or... he was always by my side. You can't say no to him."

He added: "Florentino was indeed at my house. He called me and my agent to tell me that we should meet someone. I told him, 'No, I can't now, I have things to do,' and he told me, 'You must come.' I asked him, 'Who is it?' and when he attentively told me it was Florentino Perez, I couldn't believe it. The man who brought Ronaldo, and suddenly he is at my house? I said immediately, 'Of course, of course, I must come,' and from that moment I only thought about Real Madrid, Ronaldo, Zidane..."

He continued: "When I arrived at the house, what was Florentino Perez doing? He was normal, visiting, sitting with my parents in my house. I was in shock, but he was normal, speaking French with them. He told me many things in French. He talked to me about Real Madrid, I said yes, I shook his hand and..."

He concluded: "Luckily, your phone was on, right? Yes, yes (laughs). That's how a whole life started. Florentino is the greatest. Real Madrid's level in everything is thanks to him, he gave me everything. He gave me great confidence. He talked with me and my parents. In good times and bad."