France's Karim Benzema retires from international football after missing World Cup
Ballon d'Or winner Benzema, who scored 37 times in 97 appearances for France, missed the World Cup in Qatar after suffering an injury in training the day before the start of the tournament.
"I made the effort and mistakes it took to be where I am today and I'm proud of it! I wrote my story and ours is ending," Benzema wrote on Twitter.
There had been some last-minute speculation that Benzema might have made a miraculous return to France's squad for Sunday's final after recovering from the injury that had initially ruled him out of the tournament.
He was never officially removed from the squad in case he could return.
However, he poured cold water over those rumours in the lead-up to the finale and returned to training with Real Madrid instead.
Benzema made his international debut in 2007. He played at the European Championship in 2008 and 2012 as well as the 2014 World Cup.
His international career was marred by a five-year absence from the team following his part in a black-mailing controversy connected to fellow former French international Mathieu Valbuena (38).
As a result of his subsequent omission from selection, Benzema missed the 2016 Euros in France and the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which France won.
He was recalled for Euro 2020 last year, where Didier Deschamps' side suffered a shock early exit, and then helped France win the Nations League in October 2021.
Benzema enjoyed a stellar campaign with Real Madrid last season, scoring 44 goals in 46 games in all competitions as he inspired them to a LaLiga and Champions League double.
Since his return to the international team, Benzema had scored 10 goals in 16 appearances but was sadly forced to sit out France's World Cup defence.
One of the great players of his generation, Benzema never quite got to achieve his full potential for Les Bleus as a result of missing the tournaments mentioned.
However, he will nonetheless be remembered as one the best strikers to ever play for France.