Friends close to Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema have denied he was critical of Vinicius Junior during their 2-2 draw at Champions League opponents Borussia Monchengladbach.

It's been claimed in France that Benzema was caught in footage slamming Vinicius when speaking with Ferland Mendy at halftime.

But a source told AS: “Karim has behaved very well with Vinicius these two years, helping him to grow as a player and as a person within the club.

"It is not normal for you to now fall for a recording whose sounds are mixed and confused.

"And that phrase to (Ferland) Mendy so that he does not pass the ball to him is not Karim's… "