Football

2022 - 12 - 18

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

The Football Daily Christmas Awards 2022 (The Guardian)

Poor old Luka Modric. A player of such balletic beauty and grace, he could barely have been more elegant had he tiptoed on to the pitch down a sweeping ...

[Manchester United](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/22/manchester-united-up-for-sale-as-glazers-announce-plans-to-leave-old-trafford) and [Liverpool](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/10/jurgen-klopp-committed-to-liverpool-no-matter-who-owns-club) counterparts, seeing as both clubs, along with their freeholds atop the moral high ground, are now up for sale and vulnerable to folk wielding big bags of the old petro-pennies. [five-goal thumping](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/07/tottenham-everton-premier-league-match-report) at Spurs to the [twin defeats](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/12/bournemouth-everton-premier-league-match-report) at Bournemouth, via humiliations against Leicester and Crystal Palace and everything in between. Peter Shilton, the bizarro-world Neville Southall, had already this year gone out of his way to have a pint with Nigel Farage on GB News and announce that he’d never take the knee. This one goes to everyone on that party bus with fixed grins and dead eyes, insisting they were lost in the carefree celebration of a successful season. Let it all out, José, just like Football Daily plans to do yet again while watching the end of It’s a Wonderful Life. Southend United, for selling the naming rights of their West Stand to a local firm of estate agents called Gilbert and Rose. [Three goals in 336 seconds](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/22/manchester-city-win-premier-league-title-aston-villa-match-report) later, City were ahead and certs for the title. None of them were having it – furious old pros will be furious old pros – and Walton displayed remarkable composure in the face of a knowledge-lite salvo. Less than five months later, Stevie [was sacked](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/oct/20/steven-gerrard-leaves-aston-villa-after-disappointing-start-to-season), after which a former subordinate [took his old job](https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/nov/29/mick-beale-is-a-cosy-appointment-when-rangers-need-a-ruthless-rebuild) at Rangers. A slapstick masterclass, and upon being immediately substituted it’s just as well everyone in the stadium gave the Astaire of the Adriatic the standing ovation A player of such balletic beauty and grace, he could barely have been more elegant had he tiptoed on to the pitch down a sweeping staircase in top hat and tails. Hmm, all of a sudden, the penny’s beginning to drop.

France's Karim Benzema retires from international football (ESPN)

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,"

France's Benzema retires from international football (Reuters)

France striker Karim Benzema announced his retirement from international football on his 35th birthday on Monday, a day after Les Bleus lost to Argentina on ...

Benzema made his international debut in 2007. I wrote my story and ours is ending," Benzema wrote on Twitter. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

Karim Benzema announces he's RETIRING from international football (Daily Mail)

Benzema was sent home on the eve of the tournament after picking up an injury, but there was some speculation that he could return for the final after ...

I have written my story and ours is ending,' Benzema wrote on Instagram on Monday afternoon. [planning to hold talks with the French Football Federation in the new year over his future](/sport/football/article-11552045/Didier-Deschamps-refuses-confirm-stay-France-manager-defeat-Argentina.html), but Benzema has opted to not wait to see how those discussions play out and has quit the national team. Following an excellent year in which he won the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or, Benzema had expected to be a force in the French attack at the World Cup until his injury intervened. [However, he did not to return to Qatar after falling out with Didier Deschamps](/sport/football/article-11550991/Karim-Benzema-WONT-World-Cup-final-rejects-offer-travel-private-jet.html?ico=topics_pagination_desktop) [Karim Benzema](/sport/karim-benzema/index.html) has announced his retirement from international football after missing France's run to the World Cup final. [reportedly rejected the opportunity to go back to Qatar after falling out with manager Didier Deschamps](/sport/football/article-11550991/Karim-Benzema-WONT-World-Cup-final-rejects-offer-travel-private-jet.html?ico=topics_pagination_desktop), and has now taken to social media to confirm that he has decided to call time on his international career. Karim Benzema announces he's RETIRING from France duty, as he admits to 'making mistakes' after being sent home from the World Cup in spat with Didier Deschamps before the French lost in final

Karim Benzema retires from international football on his 35th ... (Eurosport.com)

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).

Benzema retires from international football after France W'Cup loss (The Punch)

France football star and 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, Karim Benzema, has announced his retirement from international football.

Benzema was sent home on the eve of the tournament after picking up an injury, but there was some speculation that he could return for the final against France after playing a friendly for Real Madrid. I have written my story and ours is ending.” This comes barely 24 hours after France lost the 2022 FIFA World Cup final to Argentina on Sunday night at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

Breaking: Benzema retires from international football (Vanguard)

Benzema was in the France team to play in Qatar but picked up a thigh injury that ruled him out of the tournament. Announcing ...

The 35-year-old was out of the national team picture for five years after he was found complicit in blackmail in a sex-tape case that rocked French football. I have written my story and ours is ending.” Benzema was in the France team to play in Qatar but picked up a thigh injury that ruled him out of the tournament.

'I've Written My Story:' Benzema Retires From International Football (CHANNELS TELEVISION)

Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from the France national team a day after his country lost the World Cup final against ...

He scored 37 goals for France in 97 appearances. I wrote my story and ours ends,” the 35-year-old Real Madrid Madrid Striker wrote on Twitter. The Real Madrid player, who won the Ballon d’Or award in October, had been desperate to feature in Qatar having not been selected when France won the World Cup in Russia four years ago.

Karim Benzema calls full time on international football career (Aljazeera.com)

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)

Rohr rates Morocco's football development ahead Nigeria (The Punch)

Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has highlighted why football development in Morocco is far ahead of Nigeria, following their historic and excellent ...

Their total of seven clean sheets is the joint-most by an African nation in World Cup history, level with Nigeria. The poor organization of their championship with constant interruptions was also a problem in Nigeria. Walid Regragui’s team made an impression by defeating Belgium, Canada, Spain, and Portugal to reach the semi-final of the biggest football showpiece in Qatar.