Hours After Defeat, France’s Star, Karim Benzema Retire
The reigning Ballon d’Or holder Karim benzema has announced he is retiring from international football after reports of his broken relationship with the national team.
Karim Benzema has retired from international football just one day after France were beaten in the World Cup final…….Continue Reading
Benzema had been part of Didier Deschamps’ squad, but he was unable to travel to Qatar after picking up an injury just days before the tournament kicked off. And reports from France then suggested he had turned down an invite to the final due to his ‘broken’ relationship with the team.
The reigning Ballon d’Or winner said on Twitter: “I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it! I have written my story and ours is ending.”
Reports emerged from French-outlet RMC Sport on Sunday Benzema had turned down the chance to cheer on his team-mates in the Middle East.
The 35-year-old had been invited by President Emmanuel Macron, but turned it down due to a broken relationship with French boss Deschamps. President Macron was seen in the crowds in Qatar, but there was no sign of Benzema.
There had been reports he could have played a role in the showpiece, but Deschamps shut down those rumours: “I don’t really want to answer that question, next question.” Benzema hit back on Instagram, posting a snap with the caption: “I’m not interested.”
The 35-year-old has had a strained relationship with the national team that started in the eve of Euro 2016.
The FFF announced Benzema wouldn’t play at his home tournament, and that omission continued to the 2018 World Cup. Benzema tweeted after being left out of the 2018 side: “Mr Le Graët, with all due respect, you’ve lost an opportunity to remain silent.
“I’ve discovered your true face, and this isn’t the one that said he appreciated me and wouldn’t discuss the subject of team selections!” FFF president Noël Le Graët then said his French career was over.
However, in 2021 Benzema finally returned to the French side, six years after he had last turned out for Les Blues.
Benzema’s last game for France was a drab 1-0 defeat to Croatia in the Nations League over the summer. The 35-year-old is now free to focus all his energy on Real Madrid – who he fired to a Champions League title in May.
The Frenchman had been in the form of his life leading up to Qatar, winning the Ballon d’Or for the first time in his career, and the first Frenchman since Zinedine Zidane.
