Soccer-France's Benzema retires from international football after missing World Cup

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao - Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, Madrid, Spain - December 15, 2020 Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Sergio Perez

(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 penalties in the World Cup final.

Ballon d'Or winner Benzema, who scored 37 times in 97 appearances, was expected to lead the line for France in Qatar but missed the World Cup after suffering a thigh injury in training the day before the start of the tournament.