JAKARTA - Less than 24 hours after France failed to win the 2022 World Cup, Karim Benzema made a surprising decision. He chose to end his career with Les Bleus.
This decision is quite surprising because it coincides with his 35th birthday. At that age, Benzema is considered to still have the opportunity to take part with the French national team at Euro 2024.
Reportedly, Benzema was involved in a dispute with the coach, Didier Deschamps. That is also what underlies the player refusing to play for the French national team in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina despite the opportunity to do so.
"I've tried hard and went through a lot of mistakes to be in my position today and I'm proud of it! I've written my story and that story has ended," Benzema wrote on his Instagram social media, Monday, December 19.
Benzema is absent from playing for Les Blues at the 2022 World Cup. He was sent home a few days before the tournament started with an injury.
There is speculation that the 35-year-old can play in the final because his name has not been crossed out of the squad. Moreover, Benzema is known to have played in a friendly for Real Madrid.
However, he reportedly refused the opportunity because he did not accompany Deschamps.
Interestingly, Benzema issued a decision when Deschamps held talks with the French Football Federation to discuss his future. It is possible that the former Juventus and US coach Monaco will continue their work until Euro 2024.
Benzema ended his career in the French national team with 37 goals in 97 appearances. With his country, Benzema has won the UEFA Nations League title 2020-21.
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