Amidst Karim Benzema’s feud with a journalist who claimed he could leave Real Madrid, Coach Julen Lopetegui hinted he would be counting on the striker.
Benzema branded Gianluca Di Marzio a ‘liar’ twice in the space of 24 hours after the Sky Sport Italia reporter stated that Milan had held talks with the Frenchman’s representatives at their training ground on Monday.
The 30-year-old quickly issued a denial on his Instagram story, before De Marzio reached out to intermediary Ludovic Fattizzo, who verified the alleged meeting.
However, the forward reacted a second time by writing in his Instagram story: "Really, the lie continues, liar. Stop now guys."
And for a second time in less than 24 hours, the Frenchman’s agent Karim Djaziri tweeted laughing emojis, followed up those of a clown.
Nonetheless, AS believes Lopetegui’s decision to post a picture of himself with Benzema at training on his official Twitter account was a sign that he wanted to keep the No 9.