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Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has hit out at those criticising Lionel Messi, claiming they know “nothing about football”.
Messi’s form has been questioned this season after his slow start to life at Paris Saint-Germain.
The 34-year-old has scored just once in his 11 Ligue 1 appearances, although he has fared better in the Champions League – scoring five goals in as many games.
Former Barcelona forward Messi has received unlikely support from his former El Clasico rival Benzema, who has backed the Argentina international to adapt to French football.
Benzema told French channel TF1: “How won’t he succeed?
“It is just a period of adaptation because he is not scoring a lot of goals. But watch what he does on the pitch.
“In any case you cannot criticise a player like that. He who criticises Messi, knows nothing about football.”
Benzema will come up against Messi next month when PSG face Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Madrid travel to the Parc des Princes on February 15 before the return fixture at the Bernabeu on March 9.
"The game against PSG will not be easy at all," Benzema added.
"I would have preferred another opponent to be honest."
Earlier this week, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher revealed that Messi had called him a 'donkey' in a furious private message following Monday Night Football criticism.
It came after Carragher left Messi out of his team of the year, prompting an angry reaction from the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Former Liverpool defender Carragher revealed the message in a hilarious exchange with Sky Sports present Dave Jones on Friday Night Football, which you can read below:
Carragher: "I had a little pop at Ronaldo early in the season. I didn’t think it was a great signing for United. And I said the example of Messi. I didn’t think Messi was a great signing for PSG..."
Jones: "That was on Monday Night Football wasn’t it?"
Carragher: "Yeah, it was on Monday Night Football and I got a private message on Instagram..."
Jones: "From the man himself?"
Carragher: "From the man himself. I will not be showing private messages, but he basically called me a donkey."
Jones: "So he watches his football then?"
Carragher: “He watches Monday Night Football, so hopefully he’s watching Friday Night Football as well, because Lionel I absolutely love you.
“The greatest player of all time – and compared to you, I was a donkey, I accept that. But you’re not getting into this team.
"You haven’t played well enough, even if you did win the Copa America in the summer. It’s not enough to leave my man out, Mo Salah."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Football, La Liga, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1, Champions League
Rory O'Callaghan