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Karim Benzema Names The Player Who Is 'At The Same Level' As Lionel Messi

Karim Benzema Names The Player Who Is 'At The Same Level' As Lionel Messi

He has yet to make a single appearance for his club this season...

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

If somebody asked you to name a player who is on par with Lionel Messi in terms of natural talent, the majority would struggle to answer, but not Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

The 29-year-old has suggested that one of his international teammates has the same amount of talent as five time Ballon d'Or winner Messi in a rather surprising interview.

Mbappe? Martial? Not even close. Despite not starting a game for his club this season, Paris Saint-Germain winger Hatem Ben Arfa is on Lionel Messi's level, according to Benzema.

Benzema Valbuena
Benzema Valbuena

Image: PA

Ben Arfa, who has only started 13 times since his move to PSG in 2016, has struggled to regain the form that saw him become a pivotal part of Newcastle's Premier League side during his four seasons at St James' Park.

But that hasn't stopped Benzema, who has played with the winger for France in recent years, from praising his talent.

"Ben Arfa has talent at Messi's level," he said via The Mirror. "I am not fooling around. It hurts me to see his current situation at PSG."

Ben Arfa
Ben Arfa

Image: PA

Back in July, Ben Arfa was left out of the club's pre-season tour alongside midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak, who eventually joined West Brom.

As mentioned earlier, the winger was a fan favourite at Newcastle United but his time there ultimately ended on a sour note when he was released in January 2015 after an underwhelming loan at Hull City.

He rebuilt his career back in France with Nice, netting 18 goals in a single season and getting a big money move to PSG in July 2016.

Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa

Image: PA

But despite a promising start, Ben Arfa never nailed down a starting spot under Unai Emery.

Few can deny Ben Arfa's talents on the pitch. He has bags of quality, but aside from that fine season at Nice, he's struggled to produce the goods on a consistent basis and that is ultimately why he's not been able to totally fulfil his potential.

Thoughts on Ben Arfa's talent? Is he as good as Lionel Messi or is Karim Benzema talking out his arse?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Barcelona, Real Madrid

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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