Benitez died of heart failure shortly after making his debut for Qatari side Al Jaish.
Just weeks after sealing a £10million move to Qatar, Benitez - nicknamed 'Chucho' - was rushed to hospital with severe stomach pains after playing against Qatar SC last week, and later died in hospital.
Tragic: Relatives and colleagues of Christian Benitez carry his coffin during his funeral in Quito in Ecuador
Respect: Fans swarmed the streets to show support as Benitez's body was driven to his funeral
Touching: Ecuador's third-highest ever scorer Benitez had an open casket for his funeralFans swarmed the streets in Quito, capital of Ecuador, to pay their respects as Benitez's coffin was driven to the Monte Olivo cemetary. Benitez was Ecuador's third highest-ever scorer.
It was accompanied by Benitez's wife and the rest of his family, including his father Erman who wept with his head in his hands as he saw the open casket.
Benitez spent the 2009-10 season on loan at St. Andrews, where he earned good reviews for his energetic display despite only netting four goals for the midlands club.
He was a summer target for Tottenham before sealing the big-money move to Al Jaish shortly before he passed away.
Emotional: Benitez's father Erman wept with his head in his hands at his son's funeral
Funeral: Benitez died on Monday of a heart failure and his body was flown back to home nation Ecuador
Premier League: Benitez played for Birmingham in the English top flight on loan in 2009-10
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