Karim Benzema retires from international duty aged 35 after missing out on France’s World Cup final run with an injury.
The puzzling revelation came a day after France’s World Cup final loss to Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
Benzema, 35, tweeted: “I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it!
“I have written my story and ours is ending.”
Didier Deschamps’ 26-man team included Benzema as they prepared to defend the World Cup in Qatar.
However, a thigh injury prevented him from playing, and Deschamps never took the forward’s place.
After returning to Real Madrid training, it gave rise to rumors that Benzema would unexpectedly make a comeback to the French team in time for the final.
But when Benzema wrote on Instagram, “I don’t care,” he seemed to ruthlessly rule himself out.
The prolific scorer did send good wishes to his country for the final, which they ultimately lost on penalties.
After RMC Sport reported that Benzema rejected down president Emmanuel Macron’s invitation to attend the game, Benzema’s position in the national team came into question.
Later, L’Equipe reported that the player severed all links with the French team after coach Deschamps declined to choose him.
It is the most recent chapter in Benzema’s saga with his country.
He made his debut in 2007 and continued to appear regularly till 2015.
Due to his alleged involvement in the blackmailing of teammate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex video incident, Benzema was prohibited from representing France.
He was found guilty of complicity in November 2021 and given a Versailles court’s sentence of one year with probation.
Benzema received a 75,000 euro (£63,000) fine as well.
But that same year, France’s 26-man roster for the postponed European Championships included the LaLiga star.
