KARIM BENZEMA has announced his retirement from international football.
The Real Madrid legend made the cryptic reveal a day after France’s World Cup final loss to Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
GettyKarim Benzema has appeared to announce his retirement from international football[/caption]
Benzema, 35, tweeted: “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.”
Benzema was name in Didier Deschamps’ 26-man squad that looked to defend the World Cup in Qatar.
But a thigh injury ruled him out, although Deschamps never replaced the forward.
It led to rumours that Benzema was set to make a shock return to the French side in time for the final after returning to Real Madrid training.
But Benzema appeared to brutally rule himself out as he posted on Instagram: “I don’t care.”
The prolific goalscorer did wish his nation luck on the final, which they went on to lose on penalties.
Benzema’s future in the national side faced doubt after RMC Sport reported Benzema turned down president Emmanuel Macron’s invite to watch the game.
L’Equipe later added the player cut off all ties with the French squad after manager Deschamps refused to call him up.
It is the latest saga in Benzema’s story with the national team.
He first made his debut in 2007 and was a regular up until 2015.
Benzema was banned from playing for France for his alleged role in blackmailing team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape scandal.
He was in November 2021 guilty of complicity and sentenced to a one-year suspended jail term by a court in Versailles.
Benzema was also fined 75,000 euros (£63,000).
But in the same year, the LaLiga star was named in France’s 26-man squad for the delayed European Championships.
Benzema returned to the France team last June in a 3-0 win over Wales and later scored four goals at the Euros.
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