“He confirmed his decision to stop”, Didier Deschamps notes the international retirement of Karim Benzema

The doubt is dispelled. For his first interview since the World Cup final lost in December against Argentina (3-3, 4-2 on penalties), published by The Parisian (article reserved for subscribers) Friday, March 10, Didier Deschamps endorsed the international retirement of Karim Benzema. “He confirmed to me his decision to end his international career.said the coach of the Blues.

The day after the lost final, the Ballon d’Or – absent from the World Cup due to injury – had published an enigmatic message on his social networks: “I have written my story and ours is ending”. Since then, Benzema had remained silent on the subject, leaving a semblance of doubt.

“When I spoke to him in early January, his decision was not final.revealed Deschamps. She is now and I have to respect her.” The coach did not detail the motivations of the 35-year-old striker: “Don’t ask me for his arguments. It will be up to him to communicate them or not.

“Always grateful” to Le Graët

Deschamps also expressed his loyalty to Noël Le Graët, now ex-president of the French Football Federation (FFF): “I will always be grateful to him for entrusting me with the position of coach. […] The smooth running of our partnership has been an important element in the successes.” The Basque, who has no “not good at all” experienced the crisis at the FFF, however did not wish to comment on the decision of Le Graët, who resigned on February 28.

He also returned to the departure of Corinne Deacon, relieved of her duties as coach of the Blue Thursday. “I am disappointed for her and I find that she was very harshly criticized, while her results pleaded in her favor”he said, refusing, there too, to comment on the elements that led to his departure.