After his move to the MLS with DC United, Christian Benteke has found success on the goalscoring front, netting an impressive 49 goals in 100 games for the club. Despite his prolific form in the United States, the Belgian striker has not featured for the national team, the Red Devils, since 2022.

In an interview with HLN, Benteke expressed his confusion and disappointment over his absence from the national team setup, stating, “I honestly don’t know why I’m not being called up.” With star striker Romelu Lukaku sidelined due to injury, Benteke believed that his experience and profile could make him a suitable replacement. However, at the age of 34, the chances of him making a return to the Red Devils squad appear slim.

Benteke speculated that his exclusion could be due to the coach’s preferences and the type of players he favors. Despite feeling he has the footballing credentials to merit selection, he acknowledged the role that public opinion plays in such decisions.

Throughout his career in the Premier League, Benteke enjoyed success in his early years, particularly with Aston Villa, where he consistently reached double figures in goals. His impressive goal-scoring record at Aston Villa, including 23 goals in his first season in England, earned him moves to Liverpool and later Crystal Palace. However, Benteke struggled to replicate his past form at these clubs and faced challenges in maintaining his level of performance.

The striker’s decision to join DC United in 2022 marked the end of his international career with Belgium. Benteke had made 45 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 18 goals during his time with the national team. Despite his achievements at the club level, the likelihood of Benteke adding to his international tally seems remote, given the circumstances surrounding his absence from the national team setup in recent years.