Karim Benzema to announce shock retirement?

Benzema created a stir on Monday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

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Sad news for Benzema fans. Speculation had been rife that the French footballer is about to announce his retirement from sports, at age 38, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 24/02/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a footballer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a footballer just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouKarim

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouKarim was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Karim Benzema was unlike any other footballer we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouKarim”
— @universalObserver, 23 Feb 2026

“Benzema wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 23 Feb 2026

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