Benzema

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema is part of France's squad for the World Cup in Qatar but is not expected to be at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday for the final ...

[eligible to play for France](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/karim-benzema-france-world-cup-28736644) against Argentina at the Lusail Stadium because he was included in their 26-player squad. It's claimed [Real Madrid](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/real-madrid-cf) forward wanted to see how his injury evolved over the tournament. He was tipped to thrive in Qatar, but it wasn't meant to be. Furthermore, Paul Pogba has been pictured in Qatar ahead of the final. It would speak volumes if Benzema is not at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday. Yet it's believed he has no intention of returning to the squad after allegedly falling out with Deschamps. Benzema did not play for France between 2015 and 2021 after failing out with chiefs. He replied: "I don't really want to answer that question. [Let us know in the comments below!](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/france-benzema-worldcup-final-argentina-28760762#comments-wrapper) I do apologise." There are rumours Benzema is close to a return to fitness. [Karim Benzema](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/karim-benzema) is [not expected to attend](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/benzema-france-world-cup-final-28753837) the World Cup final amid rumours he's cut off from Didier Deschamps' team once again.

Real Madrid captain will not attend today's World Cup final between his nation France and Argentina. Yesterday, Les Bleus head coach Didier Deschamps ...

Benzema will instead stay in Madrid with his club teammates, as they prepare for the resumption of La Liga. Macron will be travelling by presidential plane and will be accompanied by the likes of Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Christopher Nkunku, who were all also ruled out by injury. [Didier Deschamps confirmed that Benzema would not play any part](https://www.football-espana.net/2022/12/17/didier-deschamps-makes-karim-benzema-world-cup-announcement) in the showpiece event, despite his return from the injury that initially ruled him out of the tournament.

According to L'Équipe, the striker has not been in contact with the coach since leaving Doha. He will not go to the final against Argentina.

The lack of transparency along with the tight secrecy surrounding Real Madrid and the French Football Federation with little or no information about the footballer’s injury being disclosed has not helped either. Although nobody has dared to speak publicly, in France there is talk of players who feel more comfortable without Benzema in the national team. However, according to L’Équipe, the Real Madrid player has not been in contact with national team medical staff since he left Doha on 20 November after suffering a thigh muscle injury - Giroud, who had receded into the background since Benzema’s return in June 2021, was handed a more prominent role while Griezmann assumed leadership of the team. Deschamps didn’t call up a replacement -a move that only stoked rumors that perhaps he had reserved a place for the current Ballon d’Or winner, who could join up with the squad once he was fit, depending on how far France advanced in the tournament. Even if Deschamps decides to renew his contract after the tournament, which is feasible, it is not guaranteed that Benzema will be included in the squad list when the next international break comes around.

Karim Benzema will be more invested than most when France meet Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.

It was done very discreetly, but it was only between Karim and I.” "In my head, I made the decision a while ago. The most important is that we saw each other. "We can't go back in time. Merci pour tous vos messages de soutien 🙌🏼❤️— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) Benzema would have to make the journey from Madrid to Qatar to join the France squad if he is to play a part at the last in his country's campaign.

KARIM BENZEMA has rejected French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation to watch the World Cup final in Qatar, according to reports.This comes with.

[Benzema](https://www.thesun.co.uk/who/karim-benzema/) suffered a thigh injury in the first training session which has kept him out of the entire tournament. [RMC Sport](https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/equipe-de-france/france-argentine-benzema-a-decline-l-invitation-de-macron-d-embarquer-dans-l-avion-presidentiel-pour-assister-a-la-finale_AV-202212180087.html), the 34-year-old has turned down the chance to cheer on his team-mates in the Middle East. [could be fit](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/20742820/benzema-available-france-world-cup-final-injury-recovery/) to play in the final. [Benzema responded on Instagram](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/20783934/real-madrid-karim-benzema-france/) by posting a photo angrily looking at the camera. [refused to answer](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/20777452/karim-benzema-didier-deschamps-world-cup-final-france-injury/) when asked whether Benzema could feature against Argentina. [Didier Deschamps](https://www.thesun.co.uk/who/dider-deschamps/) not in a good place.

Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football following France's World Cup final defeat.

He is Madrid's second-top goalscorer of all-time with 329 goals, behind only [Belgium](/soccer/team/_/id/459) and [Spain](/football/team/_/id/164) in the semifinals and final to claim the trophy. I've written my story and ours comes to an end,"

Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football, a day after France lost to Argentina in a dramatic 2022 World Cup final.

World Cup How to watch and stream Argentina v France in World Cup final [France lost to Argentina in a dramatic 2022 World Cup final](https://www.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2022/lionel-messi-brings-a-happy-end-to-one-of-football-s-great-stories-after-world-cup-glory-the-warm-up_sto9282458/story.shtml).

The 35-year-old Real Madrid striker missed France's attempted defence of their World Cup title due to injury.

Benzema made his international debut in 2007. “I wrote my story and ours is ending.” [Photos: Alexia Putellas and Karim Benzema win Ballon d’Or awards](/gallery/2022/10/18/photos-alexia-putellas-and-karim-benzema-win-ballon-dor-awards) [France’s star striker Karim Benzema out of World Cup with injury](/news/2022/11/19/benzema-injured-on-return-to-full-training-for-france) [Benzema’s injury hampers France’s chances of retaining crown](/sports/2022/11/20/benzemas-injury-a-massive-blow-for-frances-chances)

Karim Benzema, 35, did not feature in 2022 FIFA World Cup due to thigh injury, France without him bagged silver medal in Qatar - Anadolu Agency.

[Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. 12 that Benzema attended the club's training a couple of days before the France vs. Real Madrid confirmed in a Twitter video on Dec. I have written my story and ours is ending," Benzema said in a post on Instagram accompanied by a photo of him in a France jersey. He was injured in a training session in Qatar and then went back to Real Madrid for rehab and made good progress. But Benzema did not feature in the 2022 World Cup after hurting the quadriceps on his left thigh in November, a day before the Qatar 2022 tournament kicked off.