Karim Benzema announces retirement from international football in cryptic post

French striker and Ballon d'Or 2022 winner Karim Benzema anunced his retirement from international football after World Cup 2022. Benzema uploed a cryptic post along with an im of him in national colours while stating that this story has ended. Benzema did t take any part in France's run to final of FIFA World Cuip 2022 in Qatar after picking up an injury before tournament. re was a chance that Benzema could take part in final against Argentina at Lusail Stium after apparently recovering from injury but it did t materialise. However, re were also reports of ar fallout with France coach Didier Deschamps. 

Benzema retires from international football

'I me effort and 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 said in a post on both Twitter and Instagram. 

Benzema played in 97 matches for France and scored 37 goals. Benzema faced exile from French team from 2015 to 2021 due to off-field issues. 

Future looks bright for France

France played its part in one of most memorable finishes in World Cup history, even though defending champions failed to retain title.

Kylian Mbappé’s hat trick of goals all came late — first in regulation, n in extra time — and helped give France a 3-3 draw with Argentina in final.

In penalty shootout, it seemed destined for Lionel Messi to win his first World Cup at of 35, t Mbappé to win his second at 23.

Still, foundations of France’s national soccer team are solid with just under four years to go until next World Cup in 2026.

France outperformed expectations even as defending champion and world’s fourth-ranked team.

A run of poor results in UEFA Nations League, including a home loss in June to Denmark, plus a litany of injuries before and after squ for Qatar was selected kept high hopes in check.

n, in last training session before flight to Doha, forward Christopher Nkunku was injured by a teammate.

It got worse in Qatar. Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was forced out of squ because of an injury and n Lucas Hernández, left back in 2018 team, picked up a season-ending knee injury nine minutes into France’s first game against Australia

France persevered and got better as team passed through kckout rounds — against Poland, England and Morocco.

record w under France coach Didier Deschamps of two World Cup finals and a quarterfinal, plus a European Championship final and a UEFA Nations League title is truly impressive.

“I’m optimistic about future,” said Deschamps, who has expertly mixed youth and experience in his teams. “A lot of players have played in many of those tournaments and have got experience.”

(with AP inputs)