Karim Benzema bets full time on his international football career

The 35-year-old Real Madrid striker missed France’s attempt to defend their World Cup title due to injury.

French striker Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international soccer on his 35th birthday, a day after Les Bleus lost on penalties to Argentina in the World Cup final.

The Ballon d’Or winner, who scored 37 goals in 97 appearances for France, was expected to lead the nation’s lineup in Qatar but missed the World Cup after picking up a thigh injury in training the day before from the start of the tournament.

“I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today, and I’m proud of it!” wrote Benzema on Twitter on Monday. “I wrote my story and ours is over.”

Benzema made his international debut in 2007. He played at Euro 2008 and 2012, as well as the 2014 World Cup, but sat out the next two major tournaments due to a blackmail scandal.

I made the effort and mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it!
I have written my story and ours is over. #Nine pic.twitter.com/7LYEzbpHEs

— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 19, 2022

He was called up for Euro 2020 last year when Didier Deschamps’s side suffered an early exit, but Benzema helped France win the Nations League in October last year.

Benzema enjoyed a stellar campaign with Real Madrid last season, scoring 44 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions, inspiring them to a La Liga and Champions League double.

Since his return to the international team, Benzema had scored 10 goals in 16 appearances, but was forced to sit out France’s defense of their World Cup title, which ended in a 4-2 loss on penalties. against Argentina in the final on Sunday.