Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has taken aim at compatriot Olivier Giroud by comparing theChelsea front-man to a “go-kart” while referring to himself as a “Formula 1 car.”Benzema, 32, has not played for France since 2015, and has even suggested he would be willing to change his allegiance to Algeria, if permitted. Consequently, he has been unable to add to his tally of 27 goals in 81 appearances for the country.Meanwhile, Giroud has take full advantage of Benzema’s absence and is France’s third-highest goalscorer, having netted 39 goals in 93 games, a record that nonetheless failed to impress Benzema.The Real Madrid target man said per the Express: “You can’t confuse an F1 car with a go-kart and I’m being kind.”During a further Q&A on Instagram, he added: “I know I’m a Formula 1 car. It works because he’s there, that’s it. It’s not going to be spectacular.“[Antoine] Griezmann and [Kylian] Mbappe get seen more while he rolls his sleeves up and does the dirty work. But does everyone like his game? I don’t think so.

Benzema has made more than 500 appearances for Los Blancos and scored 19 goals in 32 appearances this season, his 11th with the Spanish giants.

However, at international level, the 32-year-old has suffered through many troublesome years and was even suspended indefinitely in December 2015, after being charged with conspiracy to blackmail team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape. 

French federation president Noel le Graet has on numerous occasions emphasised that Benzema, who remains without an international appearance since the Valbuena debacle, is not part of France’s plans and his “adventure is over with the French national team.”

On the other hand, Giroud, who started all of France’s World Cup matches in 2018, helping them to be crowned champions, has re-emerged as the top option for Chelsea boss Frank Lampard prior to the coronavirus pandemic which has put football on hold until further notice.