Al Hilal striker Bafetimbi Gomis on Sunday posted a video showing a lion cub he received as a "gift".
The Frenchman wrote that he intends to spend a few days with "baby Gomis" before sending it to its "own habitat to feel free".
"I am so honoured to get this beautiful gift! We are going to spend a few special days together and then this baby Gomis needs to be in his own habitat to feel free!" Gomis said in the post alongside the video.
The Hilal frontman had earlier told The National he was delighted to be back in Saudi Arabia for the Saudi Pro League.
“I’m missing football so much as it’s a big part of my life and my whole routine is based around football,” Gomis had said this month. “The time that I wake up, when I eat, to when I spend time with my family – everything revolves around that. Scoring goals, the atmosphere of the stadium, the supporters, I miss it all.”
Last year, Gomis was the top-scorer in Asia with 11 goals as Hilal were crowned continental champions for the first time in 19 years.
Apart from his exploits on the field, Gomis is well known for his lion celebration after scoring.
