OLIVIER GIROUD was on the end of a cheeky jibe from Karim Benzema after the Real Madrid ace said comparisons with his countryman were like pitching karting against Formula 1.
Despite holding 81 caps for France, Benzema hasn’t played for Les Bleus since October 2015 after becoming involved in an alleged blackmail sextape plot involving teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
Benzema became embroiled in scandal in late 2015 and hasn’t appeared for Les Bleus since
Giroud has become the first-choice striker for France
In that time, Chelsea striker Giroud, 33, has often led the line but does not impress the Real star.
Benzema, 32, feels his compatriot helps bring Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe into the game while offering a far from exhilarating way of playing.
Asked about Giroud, he told an Instagram Live broadcast: “This won’t take long.
“You don’t confuse F1 with go karting. And I’m being kind. Next… and I know I’m F1.
“It works because he’s there. That’s all. It’s not going to be spectacular, it’s not going to be anything crazy but in his way you see more of Griezmann or Mbappe because he will put the work in.
“Does everyone like that way of playing? I don’t know.”
Olivier Giroud mocks old club Arsenal in wild Chelsea Europa League celebrations
A recall to Les Bleus’ setup for Benzema seems impossible while Didier Deschamps remains in charge.
The World Cup winning coach maintained that his decision to ignore the striker was “sports-related” when discussing it in November, adding it “wouldn’t be good” for him to return.
At the time, Benzema slammed his exile as “caving in to pressure from a racist part of France”.
Giroud has made hay in the meantime, playing the majority of his country’s triumph in Russia 2018 – going the whole tournament without a shot on target.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
