It’s a sad day for World Football as the French star Karim Benzema officially announces his retirement from international. He took to his social media to post a picture of him in the national t-shirt and declare his decision.
After missing out on the Qatar World Cup 2022 following a knee injury, Benzema called his international career quits, which might be highly predictable following his long-term disagreement issues with Didier Deschamps.
This is what he wrote on Instagram.
“I made an effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today, and I am proud of it. I wrote my story, and ours is coming to an end.”
97 national appearances for Benzema
Following the immediate end of the 2022 Football World Cup, Benzema’s statement came. There have been high speculations earlier that he might be fit enough to appear on the field this Sunday, but nothing as such took place. His international career concluded after 97 appearances for his national team.
In these 97 matches, he has scored 37 brilliant goals and lifted the national trophy once after France won the 2021 Nations League.
He debuted back in March 2007 while still with Lyon, and he scored against Austria in that particular match. He could play only one World Cup tournament but appeared in three European cups.
The Real Madrid star wasn’t included in the 2010 World Cup squad due to tactical reasons, and in 2018, he was in international exile following some issues with a scandal.
His exile was six years long until his exceptional domestic form couldn’t be ignored by Deschamps.
Call for Euro 2020
Benzema was called by his coach for Euro 2020 and since then he has been a regular part of the national side until his retirement on Monday.
Read More: Reports come up of complete rift between Benzema and Deschamps
