Pissed off Benzema retires from international football

Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 35, just the day after France lost in the World Cup final to Argentina.

Ballon d’Or winner Benzema, who scored 37 times in 97 appearances, was expected to lead the line for France in Qatar.

Sadly, he missed the World Cup after suffering a thigh injury in training the day before the start of the tournament.

Reports had emerged that Benzema was slated for a shock return to the France squad to play against Argentina.

However, according to Spanish outlet Libertad Digital, Benzema had no desire to join back up with Didier Deschamps’ squad due to the manner of his departure from the French team before the tournament.

There was also some rumours that France president Emmanuel Macron had personally invited Benzema to attend the World Cup final.

However, the Real Madrid striker rejected the invite and put up a cryptic Instagram post on Friday, which read: “I am not interested.”

“I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it!” he tweeted. “I have written my story and ours is ending.”

Benzema has had a troubled relationship with the French national team throughout his career.

Benzema made his international debut in 2007.

He played at the European Championship in 2008 and 2012 as well as the 2014 World Cup but was omitted from the next two major tournament squads over a blackmail scandal involving French player, Mathieu Valbuena.

He was not involved in any squad between 2015 and 2020 after effectively being banished by French manager, Deschamps.

It meant that he missed out on France’s 2018 World Cup win despite being one of the best strikers in the world. And this was something that hurt Benzema deeply.

He was recalled for Euro 2020 last year and helped France win the Nations League in October 2021.