Topics: FIFA World Cup, France, Argentina, Karim Benzema
The French striker has closed the chapter on his international career following the conclusion of the World Cup.

France forward Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from the national team. The 35-year-old striker who celebrated his birthday on Monday, posted a message on social media suggesting that his chapter with the Les Bleus is over. His decision comes after Didier Deschamp's side failed to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup without him.

"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," Benzema wrote on Twitter, accompanied by a photograph of him in action for France.

Following a five-and-a-half year exile from the national team, Benzema was recalled to the side by Deschamps  in May 2021. The striker was France's top scorer during the 2014 World Cup but did not feature in the country's triumphant 2018 campaign. Having won his first Ballon d'Or in October 2022, the Real Madrid superstar was handed the opportunity to cap their year with a chance to win the World Cup before retiring.

In hindsight, the story was not to be with a thigh injury forcing Benzema to withdraw from Les Bleus' 26-man squad. Multiple reports from France subsequently revealed that the decision to leave Qatar was against the will of the 35-year-old striker, but was rather proposed by Didier Deschamps. The 54-year-old, however, did not call in a replacement, making the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner eligible to compete or win a medal should he have returned.

In Madrid, Benzema recovered in less than a week, featured in training and featured in Los Blancos' 1-1 draw with Leganes in a friendly. Ahead of the final on Sunday, a report by RMC Sports in France revealed that President Emmanuel Macron had sent the striker an official invitation to watch the game against Argentina. However, he had declined the offer as he had no intentions of returning to Qatar.

Benzema closes the chapter on his international career sitting in fifth position on France's all-time top goalscorer's list. The striker scored 37 goals after 97 appearances for Les Bleus.