A day after France lost the World Cup final to Argentina, Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema announced his retirement from the France national team.
The 35-year-old Real Madrid striker wrote on Twitter, “I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it! I wrote my story and ours ends.”
Prior to France’s opening match in Qatar, the current Ballon d’Or winner had to withdraw from the World Cup due to an injury. In 97 games, he scored 37 goals for France.
The Ballon d’Or-winning Real Madrid player, who missed out on being chosen when France won the World Cup in Russia four years ago, was anxious to participate in Qatar.
Because of his role in a blackmail issue concerning a sextape involving his former teammate Mathieu Valbuena, he was barred from the France team for five and a half years.
He received a 75,000 euro ($79,500) fine and a one-year sentence with a suspended prison term during a trial last year.
Didier Deschamps, France’s head coach, decided against calling up a replacement for the World Cup in Qatar since his team still had depth, notably in the attack, which was spearheaded by 23-year-old Kylian Mbappe.
With eight goals, including a hat-trick in Sunday’s 3-3 tie that sent Argentina to a penalty shootout, Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe claimed the World Cup Golden Boot title.