Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud struggled to understand the reaction of some France supporters towards him after Karim Benzema was dropped for the European Championship.
Giroud had to endure boos from some fans during France's warmup games for the tournament, with supporters upset that Benzema was left out because of a blackmail scandal involving Mathieu Valbuena.
Giroud responded by scoring three goals at Euro 2016 to help his country reach the final, and while he never took it personally he did find it difficult to deal with.
"Yes, it annoyed me," Giroud told Le Parisien ahead of France's opening World Cup qualifier against Belarus on Tuesday. "I was not even remotely responsible for this story and I did not understand the kind of hatred that developed against me."
Giroud also had to deal with criticism at Arsenal after a long scoring drought that coincided with the Gunners' title challenge collapsing. He still finished the season with 16 league goals, and has netted eight times in his last 11 internationals.
"I immediately realised that the people who booed me were not anti-Giroud, but pro-Benzema," Giroud added. "It could not be otherwise. I came from a great season with Arsenal. It was just disappointing."
French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has stated that Benzema's international future will be up to coach Didier Deschamps, who has already said that the striker is not ready to return to the side.
Giroud now faces added competition at Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger having signed Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna in the transfer window.
"Between my last season with Arsenal and the Euros I had, I have no reason to doubt myself," he said.