Jeremy Menez has paid tribute to Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

Now with Paris FC, Menez helped France win the U17 World Cup alongside Benzema in 2004.

He told Foot Mercato: "Of course, we can only admire his career.

"With 10 years at Real Madrid, very few players have done it. In spite of all that could be said about him, what was put in his mouth, he is still there, he works and he closes the mouths of people. At some point everyone makes their career.

"He was probably a more hard worker than us and he got what he deserves, that's all."