Stories from within and beyond: How Real Madrid’s 2022 World Cup went
By Sahel Kazi
The Retirements: Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema
Eden Hazard’s international retirement was something many foresaw ahead of the World Cup. Belgium’s failure was no surprise to those who’d been following the conflicts and the media statements around the team throughout the tournament either. The “Golden Generation” that finished 3rd in 2018, saw its end without any major success and a group stage exit.
It must however be mentioned that two of the semi finalists came from Group F. Hazard himself wasn’t so involved in any off-the-field controversy or in the football itself but seems to have lost the world-class ability and the charisma that allowed him to have an impact when wearing the Belgian colours in the past.
Karim Benzema retiring from international football so soon after making a highly anticipated return though, wasn’t something anyone had seen coming, heading into the World Cup. This was supposed to be the Frenchman’s time to shine and to represent Les Bleus on the big stage, in their bid to defend the title.
That too not long after having enjoyed so much unprecedented individual success at the club level this year, and lifting the Ballon d’Or. Benzema was sent home by the French team doctors after what seemed to be an aggravation of a previous injury. Yet the Frenchman returned to Madrid and did not take too long to start training once again.
This led to rumours of Benzema potentially returning in the latter stages of the tournament, as he had not been officially removed from the French squad. Didier Deschamps did not comment on the matter though and ultimately, the French striker did not feature for Les Bleus at the World Cup.
Benzema waited for the World Cup to come to a conclusion before announcing his decision to retire from international football but will receive a silver medal for being part of the 26-man squad anyways.