Karim Benzema was finally convicted seven years ago and is therefore expelled from the French national team. Without the striker, coach Didier Deschamps’ team first became European champions and then world champions. Benzema misses the World Cup in Qatar injured – and now quietly resigns.
France’s defeat in the World Cup final was less than 24 hours ago when Karim Benzema showed the winning fist – and ended his last chapter in the Équipe Tricolore. “I wrote my story and ours ends now,” the Ballon d’Or winner wrote on Instagram, posting an old photo in France national jersey, red socks pulled over his knees, right arm raised.
Benzema’s dramatic career at Les Bleus ends for the second time – and on his 35th birthday, the former enfant terrible was finally the author of his farewell words. “I made all the efforts and made mistakes that were necessary to be where I am today,” Benzema said. “I’m proud of that.”
Things were very different seven years ago. After the sex video affair about his ex-teammate Mathieu Valbuena, Benzema was found guilty of aiding and abetting attempted extortion, the attacker was kicked out of the national team. Benzema was suspended by coach Didier Deschamps, indicted by prosecutors and sentenced to a year’s suspended imprisonment and a €75,000 fine. He stayed away from Les Bleus for five and a half years, missed the home European Championship in 2016 and the world title in 2018, and Deschamps only pardoned him in 2021.
With a delay of four years, the star striker still wanted to be crowned world champion in Qatar, but a hamstring injury stopped him just before the start of the World Cup. Benzema has been dropped from the squad – and will not return now. After 37 goals in 97 international matches it’s over.
After all, Benzema won a title with the Grande Nation: the Nations League 2021. Even without a star in Doha, he is considered one of the best strikers that France has ever produced. His former teammate Raphael Varane summed it up on Instagram: “Legend!”