Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has made a shock call on his international career following a reported fallout with France boss Didier Deschamps.
Report: Why Benzema Didn't Attend World Cup Final
The 35-year-old has decided to call time on his international career, less than 24 hours after Les Bleus' World Cup final defeat to Argentina in Qatar on Sunday.
Benzema was named in Deschamps' initial squad for the tournament but was sent home due to injury issues, a decision that reportedly went against his wish to remain with the group in the Middle East.
It has been claimed the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner believed he could have recovered in time to play a part in the tournament's knockout stage, with rumours suggesting he declined an invitation to watch the final at the Lusail Stadium on the weekend.
Benzema has since made the call to hang up his international boots, after making 97 appearances and scoring 37 goals.
Taking to social media on Monday afternoon, the former Olympique Lyon striker said: "I made the effort and mistakes it took to be where I am today and I'm proud of it! I wrote my story and ours ends."
J'ai fait les efforts et les erreurs qu'il fallait pour être là où je suis aujourd'hui et j'en suis fier ! J'ai écrit mon histoire et la nôtre prend fin. #Nueve pic.twitter.com/7LYEzbpHEs
— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 19, 2022
France suffered a penalty shootout defeat to the Albiceleste following a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes.
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