Karim Benzema announced his retirement from France duty on his 35th birthday. A day after Les Bleus lost the FIFA World Cup final to Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina the prolific announced his retirement. This news is coming on the day the Real Madrid captain celebrates his 35th birthday. France’s Karim Benzema retires from France duty on his 35th Birthday.
The Ballon d’Or winner, who found the net 37 times in 97 appearances, was going to lead the line for France in Qatar but missed the tournament after sustaining a thigh injury in training the day before it started.
“I made the effort and mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it!” Benzema wrote on Twitter. “ I wrote my story and ours is ending,”.
Benzema came into the international scene in 2007. He was at the European Championship in 2008 and 2012 and at the 2014 World Cup. But wasn’t in the squad for the next two major tournament squads over a blackmail scandal with teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
He was recalled last year for Euro 2020, where Didier Deschamps’s side lost in the last 16, and he helped France win the Nations League in October 2021.
Benzema enjoyed a stellar campaign with Real Madrid last season, scoring 44 goals in 46 games as he inspired them to a La Liga and Champions League triumph.
Since his return to the international team, Benzema had scored 10 goals in 16 appearances. Benzema retires from France duty to focus on club football.
Kolo Muani, Coman, and Tchouaméni Suffer Racist Abuse Omline
France forwards, Kolo Muani, Kingsley Coman, and midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni have both been subjected to racist abuse online after missing their penalties in Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina.
The Argentina keeper, Emiliano Martínez, saved Coman’s effort from the spot and Tchouameni fired wide as France narrowly failed in their bid to retain the trophy. Coman’s club, Bayern Munich, posted a message of support on Twitter for the 26-year-old, condemning the racist comments made towards him.
“The FC Bayern family is behind you, King. Racism has no place in sport or our society,” the club tweeted on Monday.
The incidents follow the racist abuse aimed at England players Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho. Add to it Bukayo Saka after the Euro 2020 final defeat against Italy last year. All three players didn’t score their penalties in the shootout.
