Karim Benzema reportedly turned down the provide for collaborating within the retirement ceremony, organised by the French Football Federation. The ceremony was slated to be organised forward of France’s UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier recreation in opposition to the Netherlands at Stade de France on Saturday, March 25.
Benzema denied the invitation by way of electronic mail, by which he mentioned that he wouldn’t be accessible, reported by L’Equipe. Following a dispute with supervisor Didier Deschamps throughout the Qatar World Cup, Benzema bid adieu to his worldwide profession proper after the match. His bitter relationship with the French boss, therefore, might be a purpose behind the Balon d’Or winner’s absence on the felicitation occasion.
Karim Benzema has confronted a number of ups and downs throughout his profession with the French nationwide workforce. He was a daily determine within the beginning lineup within the Euro 2008, Euro 2012 and the World Cup 2014 earlier than being sidelined for a protracted interval resulting from a blackmailing scandal together with his teammate Mathieu Valbuena. He additionally missed the 2018 World Cup, which noticed France lifting the title.
Benzema made a roaring comeback within the 2020 European Championship, by which he was France’s high scorer with 4 targets. His workforce, nonetheless, was knocked out by Switzerland within the Round of 16. Benzema additionally performed a key function in France’s championship run within the 2021 Nations League. The 35-year-old ahead loved the type of his life in 2022, serving to his membership win La Liga in addition to the Champions League. Following his red-hot type, Benzema went on to bag the Ballon d’Or title the identical 12 months.
Benzema was predicted to be one of many key gamers for France within the 2022 World Cup. But he was dominated out of all the marketing campaign after affected by a thigh harm throughout a coaching session. Although, studies claimed that the Madrid star didn’t go away Qatar voluntarily as his harm wanted some minor remedies. Instead, Didier Deschamps did ship him off. The French boss reportedly instructed the veteran striker, “What a pity Karim. You have to leave.”
French president Emanuel Macron later invited Benzema to attend the ultimate match between France and Argentina. But the footballer refused the provide and didn’t journey to Qatar. France did not defend the title with Lionel Messi’s facet successful by way of a penalty shootout. A day after the sport, Benzema introduced his retirement together with another senior teammates together with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and defender Raphael Varane.
Coming to France’s opening fixture of the 2024 Euro qualifying marketing campaign, the hosts outclassed the Netherlands 4-0. Their star ahead Kylian Mbappe scored a brace whereas the opposite two have been netted by Antoine Griezmann and Dayot Upamecano.
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