Gary Lineker has retorted to Karim Benzema’s comments claiming the BBC man was “spreading hatred”.

Match-of-the-Day anchor Lineker, 56, asked whether the Real Madrid striker was overrated due to his one in two goal ratio at Real Madrid.

In the aftermath of the 1-1 draw between Real Madrid and Tottenham last month, Lineker tweeted: “Is it me or is Benzema a tad overrated? A goal every other game in a team as strong as Real Madrid is nada especial. Decent not great.”

Benzema though did not take it kindly and hit back accusing Lineker of “spreading hatred” and admitted he was “embarrassed” by the remarks.

“The criticism from ex-footballers who become journalists, some of who only share their hate, I feel sorry for them, frankly,” Benzema told Les Inrockuptibles.

“They have experienced the same situations but don’t have solidarity.”

Asking questions about football is my job and it’s certainly not ‘spreading hatred’. Is it me or is @Benzema a tad over-sensitive? 🙄 https://t.co/hIusB0LphU — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 1, 2017

Now though Lineker has hot back ahead of the return match between Tottenham and Real Madrid at Wembley and denied “spreading hatred” and suggested the France forward was “a tad over-sensitive”.