RABAT – Morocco national team skipper Mehdi Benatia has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 32.
The Atlas Lions skipper’s announcement comes after he spoke to his coach Vahid Halihodzic and has played for his country for more than a decade.
“I spoke to coach Vahid Halilhodzic ten days ago and I informed him that I will retire from international duty,” Benatia told BeIN sports.
Despite having made seven appearances for France’s U17 side, Benatia switched allegiances and decided to represent the North Africans as he held both nationalities.
In addition, he represented the Atlas Lions’ U17 and U20 sides before making his official appearance for the first team in 2009 against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
In his 10-year career with the national team, he made 52 appearances and featured across several international competitions including the 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2019 AFCON tournaments.
On the other hand, the 32-year-old also captained the team in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and that was seen as his highlight.
Apart from playing for the North African giants, Benatia has also played in Italy for Serie A sides such as Juventus, AS Roma and German Bundesliga side Bayern Munich, but he is currently in the books of Al-Duhail in Qatar.
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