Karim Benzema “refuses the invitation to the retirement ceremony at the Stade de France by email”
Real Madrid star Karim Benzema has reportedly declined an invitation to a retirement ceremony at the Stade de France via email.
France will face the Netherlands in their first Euro 2024 qualifier.
Ahead of the campaign opener, a group of recently retired France squad players, including Hugo Lloris and Raphael Varane, will be honoured.
However, the Real Madrid striker declined the invitation explaining that “he was not available”, according to L’Équipe.
The 35-year-old announced his retirement from international football last year after missing out on the Blues’ run to the World Cup final.
He reportedly rejected the opportunity to return to Qatar after falling out with coach Didier Deschamps.
‘I made the effort and the 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 Instagram.
Benzema also rejected an offer from French President Emmanuel Macron to bring his personal private jet to the final.
He ended his career in France with 37 goals in 97 caps, but his run with the national team has been far from smooth since his debut 15 years ago.
Benzema made his international debut against Austria in March 2007 and scored in his second-half substitute game.
