Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 35.

The Real Madrid forward’s decision to retire comes less than 24 hours after France suffered a 4-2 penalty shootout defeat to Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.

Benzema was named in Didier Deschamps’ final squad for the Mundial but an injury in one of their training sessions saw him ruled out of the tournament.

The forward, who celebrated his 35th birthday on Monday, December 19, announced that he will no longer play for the national team as he turns attention to his assignments with Real Madrid.

"I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I'm proud of it!” tweeted Benzema.

"I have written my story and ours is ending."

Benzema is currently France’s fifth all-time top scorer with 37 goals from 97 appearances.

The Madrid star only made a return to the France set up after not playing for five years due to being involved in a blackmailing scandal.

He was recalled for last year’s Euro 2020, where he netted four times in four games before France were knocked out on penalties by Switzerland.

He also went ahead to win the UEFA Nations League with France.