Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football after missing France’s run to the World Cup final.
After missing France’s run to the World Cup final, Karim Benzema has declared his retirement from international football.
After suffering an injury on the eve of the competition, Benzema was sent home, although there was some conjecture that he may have returned for the final after playing in a friendly for Real Madrid.
He allegedly turned down the option to return to Qatar after falling out with manager Didier Deschamps, and has now taken to social media to declare his decision to retire from international football.
Karim Benzema has decided to retire from international football after missing the World Cup
Benzema announced his decision on Instagram on Monday afternoon
Benzema’s announcement follows a rumored feud with France manager Didier Deschamps.
Karim Benzema trains before sustaining a thigh injury, according to reports.
‘I made the work and the errors it required to get where I am now and I’m proud of it! ‘I’ve written my tale, and ours is coming to a close,’ Benzema said on Instagram on Monday afternoon.
Benzema’s shocking statement came less than 24 hours after France was defeated by Argentina, ending Deschamps’s quest for back-to-back World Cup victories.
Benzema declined French President Emmanuel Macron’s invitation to fly him to Qatar for the final on Sunday.
That came after his ‘I’m not interested’ tweet before of the final, in which he clearly implied he would decline any call-up.
He did, however, send a good luck message to his teammates, which read: ‘It’s time… all together. Vamonos. Come on Les Bleus.’
Benzema scored 37 goals in 97 games for France, but not without controversy.
Benzema’s (left) relationship with France manager Didier Deschamps (right) is said to be over.
Benzema, who was photographed in a training ground friendly last week, will concentrate completely on Real Madrid.
Deschamps intends to conduct negotiations with the French Football Federation about his future in the new year, but Benzema has decided not to wait and has left the national team.
Benzema closes his France career with 37 goals in 97 appearances, but his time with the national team has not been easy since his debut 15 years ago.
In March 2007, Benzema made his international debut against Austria, scoring as a replacement in the second half.
He was named for France’s Euro 2008 squad but was critiqued for his performances in the group rounds of the tournament as the team
