Benzema hints at retirement from int’l football on clocking 35

Karim Benzema has hinted retirement from international football on the day he clocked 35 years of age.

The France and Real Madrid star made an announcement on his Twitter handle on Monday that suggested he would retire from the French squad.

This is coming a day after the end of the 2022 World Cup, where France lost in the final to Argentina on penalties.

“I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it!” Benzema wrote.

“I have written my story and ours is ending.”

Read Also: Messi wins the big prize as Argentina beat France in epic World Cup final

Benzema, who is the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, could not participate in the Qatar tournament due to a thigh injury he sustained on the eve of kickoff.

The Real Madrid star earned 97 caps for his country and is fifth on France’s all-time goalscorer’s list with 37 goals.

He got his first call up in 2006 and was part of the Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup squads that were eliminated in the group stage.

In 2020, he won the Nations League with France and helped them qualify with ease for the 2022 World Cup.

He featured for France one last time in June against Denmark as part of the Nations League, before not being able to play at the Qatar World Cup.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now