Karim Benzema: 'Hatem Ben Arfa belongs at Barcelona'

Karim Benzema has said that Hatem Ben Arfa should be playing alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona.

The Newcastle United winger has struggled for playing time at Newcastle United, with Alan Pardew reportedly saying that he is free to leave the club this summer.

Benzema, who was a teammate of Ben Arfa at Lyon, told reporters: "If Hatem had followed the path that was promised to him, today he would play in Barcelona with Messi.

"Technically, he is identical. Hereafter, he has other problems. He needs to work in his head not to drop off."

Ben Arfa joined Newcastle from Marseille in 2010.