Chris Brown and Rihanna
Rihanna is reportedly still in love with former boyfriend Chris Brown REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

Barbadian singer/actress Rihanna reportedly told rumoured boyfriend Real Madrid footballer Karim Benzema that she is still in love with Chris Brown.

The 25-year-old R&B singer infamously assaulted the five-time Grammy winner in 2009, by hitting her so forcefully that she had major bruises on her face, a split lip, and a bloody nose.

According to a report in Hollywood Life, the 27-year-old FourFiveSeconds hitmaker still cares for Brown, despite their public breakup and drama.

"Rihanna does like Karim and enjoys him a lot. He treats her well and he's such a stud in everything he does," a source said. "She told him she won't break his heart but did tell him she'll always love Chris."

Adding on, Benzema was jealous when he saw Rihanna dancing to Brown's 2015 BET Awards performance of Post To Be at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

"The look in her eyes, the way she gazed at Chris, was a look Karim's never seen before," the insider added. "He told Rihanna all this, and told her he doesn't feel he can compete with Chris and that perhaps the two of them are better off as friends."

"Karim feels very insecure after seeing Rihanna's face light up as she danced and sang along to Chris' music. He didn't even want her to attend the show.

"Rihanna listened to Karim and essentially told him that he's right. That it's going to be extremely hard for anyone to compete with Chris," the source revealed. "There's just so much history and love between them that will forever connect them for the rest of their lives."

The Diamonds singer and the father-of-one were first linked around the time of the 2014 Fifa World Cup tournament.

Benzema responded to one of Rihanna's World Cup tweets saying: "@rihanna No pain no gain, thanks for the support!"

Recently, the two were spotted together enjoying a night out at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica.

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