The Real Madrid star was not part of his nation's squad in Russia, but he posted a celebratory message after Sunday's World Cup final
Outcast forward Karim Benzema congratulated France on their thrilling World Cup final triumph on Sunday.
Les Bleus won their second title in Moscow as Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe starred and scored in a 4-2 win over Croatia.
Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic, who had opened the scoring for France with an own goal, scored for the defeated finalists in a thrilling final.
France were without Benzema, who has not played for his country since 2015 having been investigated in relation to an alleged attempt to blackmail his international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.
His replacement at centre-forward then came under the spotlight in Russia for a curious record.
Olivier Giroud failed to net a single goal at the World Cup, and indeed did not register a shot on target for the duration of the tournament.
That deficiency did little to slow down Les Bleus, with Griezmann and Mbappe pitching in with four goals to fire their nation to the trophy.
And the Real Madrid star was among those to revel in France's victory.
He took to Instagram shortly after full-time to post a message: "Congratulations, guys! Well done. World champs."
Mustaphe045
156
Benzema is better Than Olivier Giroud
Eraser
70
One of the best players for France is Giroud, he holds up play and makes the team balance, his presence prevents opposing defenders from attacking, made space for Griezman and Mbappe to maneuver and a target for air balls leaving other defenders to score. Aller le Blues
Asap24
65
Benzema pretending winning world Cup is not a big deal.. 😂😂
vehacstz
58
Olivier Giroud failed to net a single goal at the World Cup, and indeed did not register a shot on target for the duration of the tournament.
Cihnrtz
33
Giroud is just like Deschamp prince that's why he prefer not calling Benzema in his squad so that olivier will start on front as everybody knows karim ain't gonna seat on the bench so in other words if the real madrid striker was there then the the x Arsenal wouldn't have a playing time in this world cup.