Wahbi Khazri has declared his retirement from international football after Tunisia’s elimination from the World Cup in Qatar. The 31-year-old Montpellier attacker scored the game-winning goal against France in their last Group D match, but it was not enough to advance the Carthage Eagles, who placed third in the group behind the reigning champions and Australia.
Khazri leaves the World Cup as his country’s all-time best scorer, with three goals in five matches after scoring twice in Russia four years ago. “I am proud of what I gave my country over the past years, and I believe that the future for this generation is bright,” Wahbi Khazri told beIN Sports France.
“After the match, and in a meeting that included all the players and the technical and administrative staff, I told everyone that this moment is appropriate, and I thanked everyone and wished them success.”
Tunisia has failed to reach the World Cup knockout rounds in six attempts, despite its victory against France, the North Africans’ third at the event. Nonetheless, Wahbi Khazri, who was born on the French island of Corsica, was delighted to earn a victory against a nation from which Tunisia earned independence in 1956 after being a French colony since the 1880s.
In 74 international appearances for Tunisia, the former Bastia, Bordeaux, Sunderland, and Saint-Etienne player scored 25 goals. Wahbi Khazri participated in five different Africa Cup of Nations editions as well as two World Cups for Tunisia.
The future of Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri is also unclear since the 50-year-old won’t talk about it even after the end of their Group D campaign.