Former France defender Eric di Meco is surprised by Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema international retirement.

Benzema announced yesterday he had played his final game for France after being released from the World Cup by coach Didier Deschamps due to injury.

Di Meco said: "During this World Cup something happened.

"One day we will find out; his injury, the way he left, the fact that he wanted to stay and make himself available later, rumours that his departure would not harm the group's morale...

"I am convinced that something happened, for me it is a huge mess: he is a boy who plays a lot at Real, he is strong, he won the Golden Ball but was never able to express himself on the French team."