France star Karim Benzema hangs up international boots
- Scott Allen
- 19 December 2022
Karim Benzema has called time on his international career a day after seeing France lose the 2022 World Cup final to Argentina.
The 35-year-old striker missed the Qatar World Cup due to an injury picked up in the build-up to the competition, but was reportedly in contention for the final.
However, after an alleged falling out with France manager Didier Deschamps he wasn't included in the squad for the final, and even rejected an invite from France president Emmanuel Macron to attend the final.
Benzema made a rather cryptic post on Instagram about attending the final saying "Not interested."
On Monday he took to Twitter posting: "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."
The Ballon d'Or winner made 97 appearances for France, scored 37 goals and made 20 assists.
He was not picked for the Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018 squads, and Deschamps had left him out for five years prior to the 2021 Nations League tournament.
Benzema scored the opening goal in the 2020/21 Nations League Final against Spain, as France went on to lift the trophy. He was also named man of the match.
The Nations League title was the 27th major trophy of Benzema's career and made him the most decorated Frenchman in football history.
