Karim Benzema has enjoyed an illustrious career in club football, forming part of an all-conquering Real Madrid team that dominated Europe.
The Frenchman won 24 trophies with the Spanish giants, including five Champions League titles, as well as picking up the 2022 Ballon d’Or award, before joining Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad in 2023.
But this success has not been replicated on the international stage, with Benzema’s time with the France national team being marred by controversy and disappointment.
Since making his debut for Les Bleus in 2007, the 36-year-old has failed to advance beyond the quarter-finals of a major tournament, and was not part of his country’s 2018 World Cup winning side.
Having been a regular in the national set-up until 2015, he was then exiled from the squad following a blackmail case involving former teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
Despite returning at Euro 2020 to score four goals, Benzema then missed his country’s run to the final of the 2022 World Cup through injury, and he will also not be featuring at the upcoming European Championship in Germany.
Why does Benzema not play for France anymore?
Benzema announced his retirement from international football in December 2022, just days after France were beaten on penalties in the World Cup final by Argentina.
In a post on X, the Lyon native wrote: “I’ve made the efforts and mistakes that were necessary for me to be where I am today and I’m proud of it!
“I’ve written my story and ours comes to an end.”
France manager Didier Deschamps is unlikely to be disappointed by the striker’s lack of availability for this summer’s main event, with the pair widely reported to have a difficult relationship.
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Benzema’s absence in the last major tournament became the subject of intense scrutiny, as the then-Madrid man was forced to pull out of his nation’s squad after suffering an injury ahead of the competition.
Despite returning to training with his club side before the end of the tournament, Deschamps publicly ruled out the possibility of him re-entering the national fold for their final encounter.
This move infuriated Benzema, according to reports in Spain, who also claimed that he was ‘asked to leave’ the France camp after sustaining his injury, despite his ultimately quick recovery.
And having now called time on a turbulent international career, which saw him score 37 goals in 97 appearances, the Saudi-based icon will watch as his former teammates go for glory at Euro 2024.
France will not be short of attacking firepower in his absence, with PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe set to lead the line for Deschamps’ side as they target a first European Championship title since 2000.
