Karim Benzema, regarded as one of the best strikers the world has ever had has retired from international football a day following the end of the 2022 Qatar World Cup which saw France lose to Argentina. The Russia 2018 world cup champions lost 4_2 to Argentina on the World Cup final on Sunday. Karim Benzema, who could not be there due to a muscle injury, announced his international retirement yesterday afternoon at the eve of his 35th birthday.

Could the fact that the upset French staff in Qatar that advised Benzema to seek permanent treatment for the muscular fatigue he was suffering at his club Real Madrid in Spain force the Ballon d'or holder to say bye to the French national team? Romain Molina, an investigate journalist at The Guardian, CNN, BBC and The New York Times has confirmed claims that Antoine Griezmann and Hugo Lloris were 'happy' when Karim Benzema left the France squad due to injury. They never accepted his return in the first place because of their leadership status within the group. Two days to the World Cup final, ESPN broke claims that Karim Benzema had also rejected an invitation by French president Emmanuel Macron to attend the final.

The Real Madrid striker has been able to play in World Cup campaign with his team just once, it was in Brazil 2014, where his team reached the quarterfinals. The Frenchman scored 37 goals in 97 games since making his debut in 2007. In 2015, Benzema was arrested for his alleged part in blackmailing France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena . Consequently, Benzema returned over five years later at last year’s Euro 2020, where he scored four goals in four games before the Les Bleus were eliminated on penalties by Switzerland.

In a post on his social networks, Benzema made it clear on Monday afternoon that he tried to reach the World Cup but it was not possible: "I made all the necessary effort to be where I am. I have written my story and ours is over."

However, the Daily Mail via Foot Mercato has broke claims that the 35 super star would reconsider his decision if manager Didier Deschamps gave way to Zinedine Zidane as he took charge as new boss.

Zinedine Zidane is also backed by his former player at Real Madrid Toni Kroos according to a Spanish Journal AS.COM

“I definitely think Zizou would not only be a good successor but the best possible successor,” said Kroos. Toni Kroos said this on a Germany streaming Magento TV alongside his brother Felix as they analysed the outcome of the 2018 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday.

“The big question is: what does Didier Deschamps want? I’d say there’s a 70/30 chance for Zizou* to become France’s new coach. I think he really wants to get back onto the training field,” the 2014 World Cup champion added. 

Toni Kroos, retired from International football in July 2021and speaking about his all time El Clasico rival Lionel Messi who had won the trophy with Argentina, the 32 said, "He deserves it. In terms of individual performances in a tournament, I’ve never seen a soccer player perform as consistently as this guy. You have to keep in mind that he has never played for clubs that I especially like, which proves that I mean it!” concluding with a sly laughter.

Zizou~ Kroos meant Zinedine Zidane.