Benzema

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema is part of France's squad for the World Cup in Qatar but is not expected to be at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday for the final ...

[eligible to play for France](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/karim-benzema-france-world-cup-28736644) against Argentina at the Lusail Stadium because he was included in their 26-player squad. It's claimed [Real Madrid](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/real-madrid-cf) forward wanted to see how his injury evolved over the tournament. He was tipped to thrive in Qatar, but it wasn't meant to be. Furthermore, Paul Pogba has been pictured in Qatar ahead of the final. It would speak volumes if Benzema is not at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday. Yet it's believed he has no intention of returning to the squad after allegedly falling out with Deschamps. Benzema did not play for France between 2015 and 2021 after failing out with chiefs. He replied: "I don't really want to answer that question. [Let us know in the comments below!](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/france-benzema-worldcup-final-argentina-28760762#comments-wrapper) I do apologise." There are rumours Benzema is close to a return to fitness. [Karim Benzema](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/karim-benzema) is [not expected to attend](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/benzema-france-world-cup-final-28753837) the World Cup final amid rumours he's cut off from Didier Deschamps' team once again.

According to L'Équipe, the striker has not been in contact with the coach since leaving Doha. He will not go to the final against Argentina.

The lack of transparency along with the tight secrecy surrounding Real Madrid and the French Football Federation with little or no information about the footballer’s injury being disclosed has not helped either. Although nobody has dared to speak publicly, in France there is talk of players who feel more comfortable without Benzema in the national team. However, according to L’Équipe, the Real Madrid player has not been in contact with national team medical staff since he left Doha on 20 November after suffering a thigh muscle injury - Giroud, who had receded into the background since Benzema’s return in June 2021, was handed a more prominent role while Griezmann assumed leadership of the team. Deschamps didn’t call up a replacement -a move that only stoked rumors that perhaps he had reserved a place for the current Ballon d’Or winner, who could join up with the squad once he was fit, depending on how far France advanced in the tournament. Even if Deschamps decides to renew his contract after the tournament, which is feasible, it is not guaranteed that Benzema will be included in the squad list when the next international break comes around.

Karim Benzema has put to one side the rumours of disagreements with coach Didier Deschamps by posting a message of support to France before the World Cup ...

The Real Madrid player could not play in the tournament. The Real Madrid number 9 had to leave the World Cup camp due to injury, despite it being put out there that the real reason was because of a supposed bad relationship with Didier Deschamps. Whatever the reason was, the player wanted to put any hard feelings or controversies to one side.

France manager Didier Deschamps has ruled out a return for Karim Benzema in his World Cup squad ahead of Sunday's final against Argentina.

I lost those players from my squad even though they were in it to begin with.” “They are the players at my disposal. The gaffer added: “It is not up to me to decide who comes to watch the game, former players or injured players, it really isn’t up to me.

France's superstar Karim Benzema has reportedly turned down an invitation to watch the World Cup final in Qatar from Emmanuel Macron due to his "broken" ...

Benzema hit back on Instagram, posting a snap with the caption: "I'm not interested." [ comments section](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/karim-benzema-france-world-cup-28762609#comments-section) The 34-year-old had been invited by President Macron, but turned it down due to a broken relationship with French boss Didier Deschamps. And Les Blues did it all without Benzema - who was ruled out of the tournament through injury. [ Argentina forced to make change to World Cup final XI due to injury in warm-up](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-argentina-world-cup-final-28762412) [World Cup](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/latest/world-cup) final.

Ballon D'Or winner Karim Benzema announced the "end" of his international career on Monday, the day after France lost in the World Cup final to Argentina.

Benzema, who won the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player in October, had been desperate to feature in this year's World Cup having not been selected when France became world champions in Russia four years ago. I wrote my story and ours ends." Benzema, who scored 37 goals in 97 appearances for France, had to withdraw from the World Cup squad before their first match in Qatar due to a left thigh injury he suffered in training.

Karim Benzema appears to have retired from international duty after missing the 2022 World Cup through injury, following France's defeat in the final.

[tumultuous relationship with the French national team under Deschamps](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/didier-deschamps-irked-questions-benzema-return-world-cup-final-france-argentina/blt29e6a15da353124a). But following a near six-year absence - amid a [blackmail case involving teammate Mathieu Valbuena](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/benzema-suspended-sentence-guilty-blackmail-valbuena/bltc19b4d710d400ed9) - he returned to the national team in 2021. [ injury derailed the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner's tournament before it had even gotten underway](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/benzema-world-cup-hopes-danger-france-leaves-training-injury/blt99c4fc39d1799731).

The Real Madrid striker, who is the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, played 97 games for France between 2007 and 2022. Benzema scored 37 goals in those 97 games, ...

His last ever international goal also came at the Stade de France, in a 2-1 loss to Denmark in the UEFA Nations League in June. Benzema scored his first international goal for France in a 1-0 friendly win over Austria at the Stade de France in March 2007. I have written my story and ours is ending."

Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football following France's World Cup final defeat.

He is Madrid's second-top goalscorer of all-time with 329 goals, behind only [Belgium](/soccer/team/_/id/459) and [Spain](/football/team/_/id/164) in the semifinals and final to claim the trophy. I've written my story and ours comes to an end,"

France striker Karim Benzema announced his retirement from international football on his 35th birthday on Monday, a day after Les Bleus lost to Argentina on ...

Benzema made his international debut in 2007. I wrote my story and ours is ending," Benzema wrote on Twitter. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

Benzema was sent home on the eve of the tournament after picking up an injury, but there was some speculation that he could return for the final after ...

I have written my story and ours is ending,' Benzema wrote on Instagram on Monday afternoon. [planning to hold talks with the French Football Federation in the new year over his future](/sport/football/article-11552045/Didier-Deschamps-refuses-confirm-stay-France-manager-defeat-Argentina.html), but Benzema has opted to not wait to see how those discussions play out and has quit the national team. Following an excellent year in which he won the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or, Benzema had expected to be a force in the French attack at the World Cup until his injury intervened. [However, he did not to return to Qatar after falling out with Didier Deschamps](/sport/football/article-11550991/Karim-Benzema-WONT-World-Cup-final-rejects-offer-travel-private-jet.html?ico=topics_pagination_desktop) [Karim Benzema](/sport/karim-benzema/index.html) has announced his retirement from international football after missing France's run to the World Cup final. [reportedly rejected the opportunity to go back to Qatar after falling out with manager Didier Deschamps](/sport/football/article-11550991/Karim-Benzema-WONT-World-Cup-final-rejects-offer-travel-private-jet.html?ico=topics_pagination_desktop), and has now taken to social media to confirm that he has decided to call time on his international career. Karim Benzema announces he's RETIRING from France duty, as he admits to 'making mistakes' after being sent home from the World Cup in spat with Didier Deschamps before the French lost in final

"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," the Real Madrid striker ...

It led to a long exclusion from the national team from October 2015 until his recall by Deschamps in May last year. He marked his return on the pitch for 30 minutes in a 1-1 draw of two halves of 30. French striker Karim Benzema seemingly announced his retirement from international level just a day after France failed to win their 3rd World Cup crown.

Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football, a day after France lost to Argentina in a dramatic 2022 World Cup final.

World Cup How to watch and stream Argentina v France in World Cup final [France lost to Argentina in a dramatic 2022 World Cup final](https://www.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2022/lionel-messi-brings-a-happy-end-to-one-of-football-s-great-stories-after-world-cup-glory-the-warm-up_sto9282458/story.shtml).

The 35-year-old Real Madrid striker missed France's attempted defence of their World Cup title due to injury.

Benzema made his international debut in 2007. “I wrote my story and ours is ending.” [Photos: Alexia Putellas and Karim Benzema win Ballon d’Or awards](/gallery/2022/10/18/photos-alexia-putellas-and-karim-benzema-win-ballon-dor-awards) [France’s star striker Karim Benzema out of World Cup with injury](/news/2022/11/19/benzema-injured-on-return-to-full-training-for-france) [Benzema’s injury hampers France’s chances of retaining crown](/sports/2022/11/20/benzemas-injury-a-massive-blow-for-frances-chances)