Karim Benzema, What Really Happened

• Didier Deschamps selected Karim Benzema for the Qatar World Cup.
• Benzema picked a slight injury that saw him dropped controversially
• Karim announced his retirement from international football

After being named to Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad and travelling to Qatar with the national team, an injury ended the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner’s tournament before it even began. Benzema had to leave the World Cup early and watch from the sidelines as France advanced to the final against Argentina but lost on penalties. He’s since taken to social media to announce his international retirement formally.

“I made an 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 post read.

Despite 97 appearances for France and 37 goals, Karim Benzema’s career will be remembered for its drama.

Didier Deschamps created the opportunity for a triumphant comeback in 2021 after being kicked out of the national setup in 2015 for aiding in the blackmail of his teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

Previous Battles

Benzema’s international career has been filled with drama.|PHOTO: CBS|

At the Euros last summer, things did not go according to plan for Benzema as Switzerland eliminated Les Bleus on penalties. Before Benzema’s tragic injury, he was expected to start for France at the World Cup.

After struggling with injuries all season, Benzema was forced to withdraw from the team days later due to a new muscle problem. The day after the competition, Benzema made an enigmatic announcement about his international retirement on social media.

Anton Meana discussed the response to the decision in France on Cadena SER via Diario AS.

“L’Equipe and Le Parisien say that it is a message that deserved more clarity. I have reviewed the press in France, and there are not too many tears for Benzema. They remember his career, they speak well of Benzema, but there has been more sadness in Spain because Busquets is retiring.”

“RMC affirm that it is necessary to know what happened in Qatar. As a player who played so hard for Ballon d’Or Madrid, he has never been able to express himself well in the French national team. And the closest thing to a credible version when you ask in France is that Benzema did not tell Deschamps the truth.”

The Truth

Karim Benzema with Kylian Mbappe.|PHOTO: CBS|

During the World Cup, we read in L’Equipe that the team was happier without Benzema and that the atmosphere was better. The truth is that the medical report received by Real Madrid from the FFF does not appear severe enough for a player to return home. France sends him back without considering his return to Doha, which Benzema would have been willing to do.

After that, he disclosed what might have been the reason for his departure from the French team, including his apparent chilly relationships and, if Deschamps persists, perhaps even his retirement.

It ends a disappointing chapter in his international career, which could have been much more successful. These problems were his fault, even though some might think Deschamps was too harsh with him.

The 35-year-sole old’s focus will now be on getting his 2022–23 season with Real Madrid back on track after a challenging, injury-riddled start because he had the majority of the World Cup to recover from an injury.