Real Madrid striker announces national team retirement

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has retired from the French national team. Benzema, who was included in France’s 26-man squad to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, failed to make an appearance at the tournament.

An injury that kept him out of the group stages but despite getting fit before the final, France manager Didier Deschamps turned down the opportunity to call on the Real Madrid striker for the final game against Argentina.

Karim Benzema, who won the La Liga and UEFA Champions League double with Real Madrid last season, also won the Ballon d’Or and was an automatic pick on the 26-man list.

After staying out of the national team for six years due to a blackmail scandal with former national teammate Mathieu Valbuena, the Real Madrid striker was called back for Euro 2020, which he won.

The striker, after he was ignored for the final, tweeted on Monday hinted about an end to his national team, stating that his journey in the team is ending.

“I have written my story and made the mistakes to be where I am today, and I am proud of it,” he added.

Karim Benzema scored 37 goals in 97 appearances for the Les Blues. He made his national team debut for France in 2007 against Austria.

The striker turned 35 on Monday and is still on the books of Real Madrid. He’s France’s most decorated player, with 27 trophies to his name. He’s also fifth on France’s all-time goalscorer list with his brace against Kazakhstan in November 2021 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Benzema is yet to score in the UEFA Champions League for Real Madrid this season despite playing four group stage games, although he has five goals in seven La Liga matches.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu