Following the 2022 World Cup, Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from the national squad.
Before being recalled by Didier Deschamps for Euro 2020 last year, the 35-year-old was famously banned from the national squad between 2015 and 2021.
Injury setbacks during the first part of Benzema’s 2022–23 season, however, did not prevent him from making Deschamps’ team for their World Cup defense in Qatar.
Why Did Karim Benzema Retire?
The former Lyon starlet briefly made a return to team training with Les Bleus.
He then picked up a fresh thigh injury soon after and was ruled out of the tournament.
Deschamps did not call up a replacement for Benzema, who was given a three-week recovery timeline and had returned to full training with Real Madrid before the final against Argentina.
Having elected not to replace the 35-year-old, Deschamps would have been able to select Benzema for the final, but the France boss decided against recalling the Ballon d’Or winner.
France suffered a 4-2 defeat to Argentina on penalties following a 3-3 draw in the absence of Benzema, who allegedly experienced another falling-out with Bleus chiefs after he was snubbed for a final appearance.
Benzema allegedly wanted to remain with the squad in Qatar to see how his injury evolved, but Deschamps and team doctor Franck le Gall instead chose to send the striker back to Madrid.
Deschamps’s and Le Gall’s decision supposedly angered Benzema.
“I made the effort and mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it! I wrote my story and ours ends,” the Frenchman wrote on social media.
Trending Stories: Lionel Messi Believes World Cup Win Is A “Gift From God”
During his international career, Benzema played 97 senior games for France, scoring 37 goals and setting up 20 more for Les Bleus despite his six-year inactive period.
COMMENTS