In a shocking piece of news, current Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football. The news comes less than 24 hours after France failed to defend their FIFA World Cup title in Qatar. Didier Deschamp’s France football team lost in the penalties to Argentina and ended up as the runners-up in the FIFA World Cup 2022.
A hamstring injury had pushed the Real Madrid star out of the France football team squad for the FIFA World Cup 2022. There were reports emerging out that he might play in the final against Argentina after recovering fully but an apparent dispute between him and the French coach Didier Deschamp jeopardized the plan.
Taking to social media, Karim Benzema penned an emotional note and posted a picture of him in the France jersey.
“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,” read the caption of Karim Benzema’s post.
Karim Benzema is a legend of Real Madrid
Karim Benzema has played 97 matches for the France football team and has scored 37 goals for the Les Bleus. He is the second-highest goal-scorer of Real Madrid and has scored 224 goals in 422 matches for Real Madrid.
Before joining Real Madrid in 2009, Benzema plied his trade for Ligue 1 club Lyon FC and scored 43 goals in 112 matches for them. He is one of the best strikers of our generation and after a stellar season with Real Madrid, he received the Ballon d’Or for the previous season.
Even though Kylian Mbappe netted a hat-trick in the all-important finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022, France failed to beat Lionel Messi’s Argentina. The two-time FIFA World Cup champion lost 2-4 in the penalty round and thereby failed to defend their title. Notably, France had defeated Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2018 final, 4-2.
Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022: From Golden Boot To Golden Glove, Complete List Of Award Winners