On his 35th birthday, one day after France’s heartbreaking 2022 World Cup final defeat to Argentina, Karim Benzema announced his retirement from international football.
Due to a thigh injury sustained the day before the tournament began in Qatar, Benzema was unable to compete and will not represent France again.
Due to allegations of blackmail, he missed five years of international football. He returned in 2020, missing the 2018 World Cup that France emerged as champions.
“I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it!” tweeted Benzema.
“I have written my story and ours is ending.”
J’ai fait les efforts et les erreurs qu’il fallait pour être là où je suis aujourd’hui et j’en suis fier !
J’ai écrit mon histoire et la nôtre prend fin. #Nueve pic.twitter.com/7LYEzbpHEs— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 19, 2022