Forgotten 45-cap Belgium star – who is out-scoring Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in MLS – insists ‘I will leave the door open’ to international return two years after his last appearance

A former Premier League star has refused to close the door on his international career.

Christian Benteke has featured in 45 games for his country but his last appearance came in March 2022.

The striker, who played for the likes of Aston Villa, Liverpool and Crystal Palace, has found a new lease of life in the MLS with DC United.

The 33-year-old claimed the MLS Golden Boot over names such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez after netting 23 times in 30 appearances in the regular season.

He has 18 goals to his name in a Belgium shirt and remains hopeful of adding to that tally.

‘I am still playing in a very good league and I am still a professional so why should I retire from the national team?’ he told BBC Sport.

‘I am not obsessed about it and I am not putting any type of pressure or focus on it. But as long as I am playing, I will leave the door open. That is just common sense for me.

‘It’s the day I retire from my club that will mean it is also the end for the national team.’  

‘(Lionel) Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo are four or five years older than me and they still play, so who are we not to push ourselves?’

‘It’s not luck. It’s hard work. They look after their bodies, which is something we can all do. We might not have their qualities or everything they have but as a high-elite athlete, we can all look after our bodies.’

Unfortunately for Benteke, DC United were eliminated from play-off contention on the final day of season.

The striker still hopes to play again for Belgium with the World Cup coming up in 2026 

The former Villa man also had some words of appreciation for what his old club are doing now.

Unai Emery’s side sit fourth in the Premier League table and top of the 36-team Champions League group stage. 

‘A huge club,’ he labelled them. ‘With Liverpool it is more expected but Villa was my first team in England. The love is different. They haven’t been in the Champions League for a while so to see them playing well at Villa Park on a Tuesday or Wednesday is something nice.’