France’s Karim Benzema retires from international football after World Cup final defeat

France’s forward Karim Benzema has decided to retire from international football after World Cup final loss. Les Bleus had to suffer a heartbreaking loss against Argentina in the final of the World Cup on penalties. However, Benzema had to miss the quadrennial event due to a thigh injury and then declined an invite from French president Emmanuel Macron to attend Sunday’s final at Lusail Stadium.

Benzema decided to hang his boots from the national duties on his 35th birthday. The striker took to his Instagram account to announce the news.

“I’ve made the efforts and mistakes that were necessary for me to be where I am today and I’m proud of it! I’ve written my story and ours comes to an end,” Benzema said in a post on Instagram on Monday.

Benzema was the top-scorer for France in the 2014 World Cup but he couldn’t be part of the team’s winning run in 2018 following his alleged role in a sex-tape scandal with then-international teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

Benzema was part of the previous edition of Euros 2020 but the team was knocked by Switzerland on penalties. The Real Madrid striker also led France to glory in the UEFA Nations League after the team defeated Belgium and Spain in the final.

Benzema was in spectacular form in the 2021-22 season for Real Madrid. He scored 44 goals in 46 matches across competitions and led the team to glory in the LA Liga and the Champions Trophy. Thus, he was able to win his maiden Ballon d’Or in his career.

The 35-year-old hasn’t played consistently for the Spanish giants due to injury woes but he has scored six goals in 12 appearances in the ongoing season.