Morocco Star Medhi Benatia Retires From International Football

Former Morocco national team skipper Medhi Benatia has retired from international football after 13 years.

The 32-year-old defender retires from the national team after making 58 appearances, the last being at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

In announcing his decision, the French-born player said he needs to focus on his club career with Qatar outfit Al-Duhail, as well as paving way for upcoming players.

“I spoke to coach Vahid Halilhodzic ten days ago and I informed him that I will retire from international duty,” Benatia told BeIN sports on Tuesday.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “I spent 11 years with the national team and I did my best with them. Playing for your country is a great honour and I am satisfied with my performance during the past 11 years.”   [/perfectpullquote]

“But it is painful to hear someone saying Benatia is the one who picks the players of the national team and chooses the matches to play.”

Benatia has so far had an excellent career at the top level game, winning trophies with Marseille, AS Roma, Bayern Munich, and Juventus.

He made his international debut for Morroco on 19 November 2008 in a 3–0 friendly win over Zambia at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.

Benatia scored his first goal for Atlas Lions on 4 June 2011, opening a 4–0 win over rivals Algeria in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

He was Morocco captain in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2018 World Cup in Russia where he played all the matches.