PARIS: Golden Ball winner Karim Benzema announced he would end his international career on Monday, a day after France lost to Argentina in the World Cup final.
“I worked hard and made mistakes to get where I am today and I’m proud of it! I wrote my story and ours is over,” Benzema, 35, wrote on Twitter.
Benzema, who scored 37 goals for France in 97 appearances, had to withdraw from France’s World Cup squad before his first game due to a left thigh injury.
The Real Madrid player, who won the Ballon d’Or in October, was desperate to feature in Qatar but was not selected when France won the World Cup in Russia four years ago.
He was kicked out of the France team for five and a half years for his involvement in the blackmail scandal over a sex tape involving his former teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
In a trial last year, he was sentenced to a year of probation and fined 75,000 euros ($79,500).
For the Qatar World Cup, coach Didier Deschamps chose not to call in a substitute and France still have depth in their squad, especially in attack led by 23-year-old Kylian Mbappe.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Mbappe won the World Cup Golden Boot award with eight goals, including a hat-trick in Sunday’s penalty shootout defeat to Argentina following a 3-3 draw at half-time. extra.
“I worked hard and made mistakes to get where I am today and I’m proud of it! I wrote my story and ours is over,” Benzema, 35, wrote on Twitter.
Benzema, who scored 37 goals for France in 97 appearances, had to withdraw from France’s World Cup squad before his first game due to a left thigh injury.
The Real Madrid player, who won the Ballon d’Or in October, was desperate to feature in Qatar but was not selected when France won the World Cup in Russia four years ago.
He was kicked out of the France team for five and a half years for his involvement in the blackmail scandal over a sex tape involving his former teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
In a trial last year, he was sentenced to a year of probation and fined 75,000 euros ($79,500).
For the Qatar World Cup, coach Didier Deschamps chose not to call in a substitute and France still have depth in their squad, especially in attack led by 23-year-old Kylian Mbappe.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Mbappe won the World Cup Golden Boot award with eight goals, including a hat-trick in Sunday’s penalty shootout defeat to Argentina following a 3-3 draw at half-time. extra.
