Karim Benzema resigns from national team
Karim Benzema announced his retirement from the French national football team. “I have written my story and ours is coming to an end,” the Real Madrid forward wrote on social media, along with a picture of himself in the national team shirt. In 97 international matches, Benzema had scored 37 goals for the Équipe Tricolore.
“I made all the efforts and made mistakes that were necessary to be where I am today,” wrote the star striker on his 35th birthday: “I’m proud of that.” Benzema also posted a photo of himself in the national jersey.
Benzema took part in the 2008, 2012 and 2021 European Championships and the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, but was absent from the squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which France won. Benzema also missed the EM 2016 and the World Cup in Qatar, when the French reached the final. He was absent from Qatar with a hamstring injury sustained just before the tournament.
This year’s Ballon d’Or winner had made his international debut in 2007 but had not been considered for the national team between December 2015 and spring 2021. A case of blackmail over a sex tape of his former teammate Mathieu Valbuena led to the suspension and a dispute with national coach Didier Deschamps.
