Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has issued a classy response after he was unflatteringly likened to a ‘go-kart’ by Karim Benzema.
Benzema has continually been left out of Deschamps’ plans since 2015 after he was placed under formal investigation in connection with a sex tape blackmail plot which involved Mathieu Valbuena.
This meant the Real Madrid man missed France’s triumphant World Cup season in 2018 despite his status as one of the finest players in European football.
He has been vocal with his criticism of Deschamps during his time in exile but it was Giroud who felt his wrath during an Instagram Q&A this week.
Asked to compare himself to the blues forward, Benzema said: ‘You can’t confuse an F1 car with a go-kart and I’m being kind.
‘I know I’m a Formula 1 car. It works because he’s there, that’s it. It’s not going to be spectacular. [Antoine] Griezmann and [Kylian] Mbappe get seen more while he rolls his sleeves up and does the dirty work.
‘But does everyone like his game? I don’t know.’
Many questioned Deschamps’ decision to take Giroud to the 2018 World Cup over Benzema but the striker repaid his manager’s faith with some expert link-up play despite finishing the tournament without a single goal.
And Giroud, who is seen as one of France’s unsung heroes in Russia two years ago, has made sure to get the last laugh on Karim Benzema with a put-down during a chat with Befoot.
Asked about Benzema’s uncomplimentary ‘go-kart’ comments, Giroud said: ‘What am I, a go-kart?’
‘A world champion go-kart.’
