Karim Benzema and Riyad Mahrez were among big money summer signings to laud the confirmation that Saudi Arabia will launch a bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
The bid announcement was made on Wednesday by Saudi minister of sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal.
‘Hosting a FIFA World Cup in 2034 would help us achieve our dream of becoming a leading nation in world sport and would mark a significant milestone in the country’s transformation,’ he said.
‘As an emerging and welcoming home for all sports, we believe that hosting a FIFA World Cup is a natural next step in our football journey.’
The statement came after a FIFA invited Asia and Oceania nations to bid for the 2034 tournament.
Karim Benzema was one of Saudi Arabia’s big name imports to support their World Cup bid
Former Real Madrid star Benzema claimed Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid was ‘amazing news’
Al-Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez insisted the bid showed he was ‘clearly in the right place’
Benzema and Mahrez, who joined Saudi Pro League sides Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli during the summer transfer window, both offered their support behind the bid on social media.
‘Wow! Amazing news. The future is bright – congrats to all my friends and fans in Saudi Arabia on this big announcement,’ said Benzema, who will earn a reported £258million during his three-year Al-Ittihad deal.
‘I know how much you love the game and what this would mean to you! It would be an incredible FIFA World Cup.’
Mahrez added in a separate post’ Here we go…. Clearly in the right place, now and for the future.
‘Amazing to see Saudi Arabia bid for the big one. I hear and see the fans. I feel the passion and love of the game. I hope the world gets to see it too.’
Former England and Liverpool star Steven Gerrard, who now manages Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, also posted on social media indicating his support for the bid.
‘Incredible to think that the 11 year journey to a home FIFA World Cup might have already started for some of my youth players. Hard work starts now,’ Gerrard wrote on Instagram.
All three posts from the stars came with the official hashtag of the bid #Saudi2034.
Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard claimed the hard work was starting now for his players
Former England and Liverpool star Gerrard took over the Saudi Pro League side this summer
Reports in the summer had claimed some big-name arrivals into the…