Olivier Giroud has played down his rivalry with Karim Benzema and insists it is all made out of nothing by people.
Giroud insists he has nothing against Benzema and even wished he played more often alongside the Real Madrid forward for France.
Benzema hasn’t played for France for over five years, while the Chelsea man has featured prominently for Les Bleus. The latter featured in their World Cup success in 2018.
Giroud bagged a brace in France’s recent win over Ukraine. It means he is now the country’s second-highest scorer of all time with 42 goals in 100 games.
“I’ve always been blamed a little for the absence of Karim in the France team,” Giroud told TF1.
“There’s a supposed rivalry, which has been put together from nothing by some people.”
Earlier this year, Benzema likened the selection of Giroud ahead of him for Les Bleus to picking a go-kart over a Formula 1 car.
Giroud added: “It made me laugh knowing him. I’ve not got a grudge against that.”
“My career with Les Bleus might have been better by being played in conjunction with Karim Benzema, but we’ll never know.”
Giroud’s recent record in front of goal for France is rather impressive. He has scored three goals in three games in 2020, while in 2019 he managed to find the net six times in ten games.
France will take on Portugal on Sunday night in the Nations League.
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