KARIM BENZEMA fell out with FOUR of his France team-mates before announcing his retirement from international football, according to reports.
The 35-year-old Real Madrid striker was sent home from Qatar on the eve of the World Cup after picking up an injury.
There was speculation about his potential return for the final against Argentina after he played in a friendly for Los Blancos.
But Benzema declined to fly back out to join Didier Deschamps’ squad – even though French president Emmanuel Macron offered to let him use his private jet.
Argentina beat France on penalties to lift the trophy.
Now AS are claiming that Antoine Griezmann had an issue with the amount of social media coverage the Real Madrid striker was receiving before and during the World Cup.
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Captain Hugo Lloris and Benzema’s direct replacement Olivier Giroud also reportedly “expressed doubts” over his impact on the squad.
And Paul Pogba, who missed the World Cup through injury, was claimed to be another French star who had doubts about Benzema.
Benzema also reportedly fell out with head coach Deschamps.
The Ballon d’Or winner recently unfollowed all but five of his France team-mates on Instagram after announcing the end of his international career.
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Those who remain followed by Benzema are Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Kylian Mbappe, Raphael Varane and Marcus Thuram.
Announcing his shock retirement from France on Monday, Benzema posted a message on social media which read: “I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it! I have written my story and ours is ending.”
Benzema scored 37 goals in 97 appearances for his country.
He made his debut in 2007 and went to the following four major tournaments.
But a sex tape blackmail plot involving France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena led to a five-year hiatus from the side.
He returned for the European Championships last summer, scoring four goals as France were eliminated in the last-16.
But the injury he picked up just days before the World Cup saw him miss the tournament as Giroud returned to bag four goals as France reached a second successive final.
Meanwhile, French boss Deschamps is currently considering his future after a decade at the helm.
If he walks away, Benzema’s former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is poised to take over.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
