Karim Benzema Apologised To Vinicius Jr After Criticising Him In The Tunnel

Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr have cleared the air after the Real Madrid striker was filmed criticising him in the tunnel.

In footage of him speaking to Ferland Mendy in French as players got ready to start the second half of the Champions League game against Borussia Monchengladbach, Benzema allegedly bad-mouthed Vinicius, who was not too far away from the exchange.

"He does what he wants," Benzema said, as per Téléfoot. "Don't play with him, brother. He plays against us."

Benzema did not pass to the young Brazilian in the second half, having given him the ball on three occasions during the opening 45 minutes.

Vinicius was hooked 20 minutes from time and after he had been replaced by Eden Hazard, Los Blancos scored two late goals through Benzema and Casemiro to draw 2-2 in Germany.

Image: PA

Real were back training on Thursday and there was the potential for an awkward meeting between the two players given they were in the same rondo session.

However, MARCA say that Benzema immediately apologised to the 20-year-old during training and with the two always having a good relationship, have drawn a line under the matter.

So too has manager Zinedine Zidane, who played down the situation when previewing Real's game against Huesca on Saturday.

"The most important thing is that it is clarified and that the players talk among themselves," he said in his pre-match press conference.

"Many things are said on the field and they stay there. 'We are a team and we need energy for other things. It is good that things happen because it means that we are alive. They talked and that's it.

"I do not think this will harm Benzema's image because this has always happened and in the end he stays in the field. Today there are many cameras, but it always happened. There is no problem, the other way around.

'The important thing is that our energy focuses on tomorrow's game, the rest is already clear. In the field many things are said hot. Many things are said about others and others also about me.

Topics: Football News, Football, Ferland Mendy, Zinedine Zidane, Karim Benzema, Real Madrid, Vinicius JR

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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