Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema has deleted his Instagram account. The page had more than 76 million before the striker decided to press the red button.
Benzema faced constant abuse online from fans Al Ittihad fans in Saudi Arabia for his performances before he opted to leave the social network.
One popular insult Benzema has been subjected to is being labelled 'Ben Hazima' which translates to 'Son of defeat'.
Fans have not appreciated Benzema for his introverted demeanour as the striker seems to have built a wall between himself and the public.
Before being sacked, former Al Ittihad manager Nuno Espirito Santo had a heated argument with Benzema in which he reportedly accused the striker of being 'lazy'.
Al Ittihad fans have not stopped comparing Benzema to Cristiano Ronaldo who is finishing the year with 53 goals, the most of any player on the planet. Fans say Benzema is toying with them, doesn't seem interested and offers little for his teammates who are becoming fed up with the 36-year-old.
But stats tell a different story. Benzema has played 20 games this season netting 12 times and laying on five assists. It puts his record at nearly a goal contribution per game.
The major problem is that Al Ittihad are seated 6th in the Saudi Pro League, 22 points from the summit. It must be painful for their fans considering their club spent lavishly in the summer to sign top European players like Kante, Fabinho and Benzema after winning the league last season.
Despite being club captain, Benzema has probably been chosen as the scapegoat.
