via Imago
221018 — PARIS, Oct. 18, 2022 — Real Madrid s French forward Karim Benzema reacts after receiving the men s Ballon d Or Trophy during the 2022 Ballon d Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 17, 2022. SPFRANCE-PARIS-FOOTBALL-BALLON D OR CEREMONY GaoxJing PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN
via Imago
221018 — PARIS, Oct. 18, 2022 — Real Madrid s French forward Karim Benzema reacts after receiving the men s Ballon d Or Trophy during the 2022 Ballon d Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 17, 2022. SPFRANCE-PARIS-FOOTBALL-BALLON D OR CEREMONY GaoxJing PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN
The FIFA World Cup ended in heartbreak for France as they lost to Argentina in the penalties. Lionel Messi starred for Argentina and won his maiden and the nation’s 3rd World Cup title. However, France gave a tough fight to the South American giants in what was a tight contest. Karim Benzema got injured ahead of the World Cup and Deschamps ruled him out of the competition. Now Benzema has announced his retirement from the national team after the team’s heartbreaking loss.
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France was hit with injuries and lost some of its best players ahead of the mega-event in Qatar. Karim Benzema was among the stars to miss out on the competition. Ahead of the final, reports came out suggesting Benzema is fit and could be available. However, Didier Deschamps decided otherwise and continued with the same team.
Karim Benzema’s retirement news came as a shock to many of his fans around the world. Fans took to social media to share their emotions over KB9’s retirement from France.
Fans react to Karim Benzema retiring from the national team
Following are some of the reactions to the shocking news:
He is Bigger Real Madrid legend than Ronaldo
— Froggy 🧃🦩🇺🇸 (@vamosmessi30) December 19, 2022
Best french striker off all time pic.twitter.com/2ds1GN8WUT
— Yasser (@078Yasser) December 19, 2022
Benzema's French career feels like a massive what could have been.
— ً (@utdrobbo) December 19, 2022
I will never forget this Benzema Goal 🇫🇷
World Class First Touch pic.twitter.com/iKoITyzXmn
— My Greatest 11 (@MyGreatest11) December 19, 2022
Deschamps is a war criminal
— KT (@HailToTheReds) December 19, 2022
He was kicked out twice as disrespectfully from this national team. He deserves better ✨ All the Best for him ✨
— Jea Nnine (@NnineJea) December 19, 2022
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Benzema has played more than 90 games for France over a decade. He was influential in the 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign. However, he wasn’t a part of the French roster that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup due to massive controversy. He tried his luck in Euros last year, but France couldn’t win.
Benzema had a good chance of winning the World Cup this time around but got injured ahead of the competition. He could have provided a much-needed depth to the runners-up. However, France lost in the final to Argentina.
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What do you think of Karim Benzema’s decision? Let us know in the comment section below.
