Sports

Benzema announces his retirement from international football

Published

1 year ago

December 19, 2022

Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football after missing France’s run to the World Cup final..

Benzema was sent home on the eve of the tournament after picking up an injury, but there was some speculation that he could return for the final after playing a friendly for Real Madrid.

However, he reportedly rejected the opportunity to go back to Qatar after falling out with manager Didier Deschamps, and has now taken to social media to confirm that he has decided to call time on his international career.

‘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,’ Benzema wrote on Twitter on Monday afternoon.

Benzema’s shock announcement comes less than 24 hours after France’s defeat against Argentina, as Deschamps’s side were denied in their quest to win back-to-back World Cups.

Deschamps is planning to hold talks with the French Football Federation in the new year over his future, but Benzema has opted to not wait to see how those discussions play out and has quit the national team.

Benzema: I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it!

I wrote my story and ours ends.

Karim Benzema’s international career by numbers:

◉ 97 caps

◉ 37 goals

◉ 20 assists

◉ 1 Nations League

He retires as France’s 5th all time top goalscorer.