Karim Benzema Has Responded To Gary Lineker's 'Overrated' Tweet
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Karim Benzema has finally broken his silence over a tweet posted by Gary Lineker a couple of weeks ago where the former Barcelona striker branded the Frenchman as 'overrated'.
Lineker's comment came after Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Tottenham at the Bernabeu, where Spurs came away with a point. Benzema failed to get on the scoresheet that night and didn't enjoy the best of games, prompting Lineker's tweet.
Is it me or is Benzema a tad overrated? A goal every other game in a team as strong as Real Madrid is nada especial. Decent not great.
- Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 17, 2017
The tweet, naturally, prompted plenty of responses:
How can a player who's been the starting striker in the best team in the world for TEN YEARS be overrated ? Come on Gary...
- Charly M. (@SeriousCharly) October 18, 2017
I think he does okay.... pic.twitter.com/FTXVHnBD7f
- Crippy Cooke (@CrippyCooke) October 18, 2017
His goal record isn't great but I think he's underrated. People don't appreciate the space he makes for Ronaldo and his general play
- Chris Dickson (@chrisCFCdickson) October 17, 2017
For a man who only average approx a goal a game, and didn't play once for Barcelona, can you be so critical?
- Scoobyscottie (@Scoobyscottie) October 23, 2017
his finishing is probably the worst part of his game. what he contributes to Madrid tactically is crucial; it's why Cristiano scores so many
- Muhammad Butt (@muhammadbutt) October 17, 2017
Benzema's manager, Zinedine Zidane, was quick to issue a reply to Lineker's tweet, defending his striker while revealing his annoyance with the Match Of The Day presenter.
Speaking to Goal, the iconic Frenchman said, "It's not just Karim, he's annoying me with [what he says about] Karim because, for people who know football, it's embarrassing.
"He's the best number nine for Madrid, by a long way. Karim will not score 60 goals, but he will score 20 goals and assists for 30 or 40 more.
"It bothers me when people talk badly about my players. For me, Benzema is the best.
"For me, a striker doesn't only need to score goals. Karim has everything, not only the goals.
"If Karim has been at Real Madrid for almost 10 years it's not an accident. He always recovers from everything, always shows his qualities."
Benzema has said he feels 'embarrassed' for Gary Lineker after the former Everton and Spurs striker's comments about him. Image: PA
Now, Benzema has issued his own riposte.
Speaking during an interview with Les Inrockuptibles, via MARCA, "The criticism from ex-footballers who become journalists, some of who only share their hate, I feel sorry for them, frankly.
"They have experienced the same situations but don't have solidarity."
The former Lyon striker has, much like the rest of his teammates, endured a difficult start to the current campaign, scoring only twice in his first 10 games of the season, but his overall record at Real of 182 goals in 375 games isn't exactly something to be sniffed at.
What do you make of Lineker's comments and Benzema's response? Is the Frenchman over or underrated?
(H/T MARCA)
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: Gary Lineker, Football News, Football, Karim Benzema, Champions League, Real Madrid, La Liga
