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Real Madrid players Zinedine Zidane,
center, of France and Luis Figo, right, during a training
session on the Wisla Stadium in Krakow, Poland, Thursday
Aug. 10, 2004. (Agencies) |
France playmaker Zinedine Zidane announced Thursday
that he was ending his international
career after a 10-year spell with Les Bleus
.
"My international career is over now," said the 32-year-old playmaker
on his Web Site. "I called the coach on Thursday to let him know I had
made up my mind. I think it was the right time to say 'stop'. At least, it
was the time for me to do so," he said.
France coach Raymond Domenech confirmed the news as he unveiled his
squad for next week's friendly against Bosnia.
"Zidane will not play for France anymore. I'm sorry about it. I would
have liked him to carry on. He thought he had to leave the place to young
players," said Domenech.
Zidane has had a long and successful career with France, winning the
1998 World Cup and the 2000 European championship.
His retirement closes a glorious chapter in French soccer history with
only goalkeeper Fabien Barthez remaining from the team that beat Brazil to
become world champions in 1998.
Zidane's announcement came after defenders Lilian Thuram, Bixente
Lizarazu and captain Marcel Desailly all called time on their
international careers since the end of Euro 2004.
"This is the end of a story," Zidane said. "It's important to know when
your time to go has come. Some players had done it in 2000 and in 2002.
Others like me are doing it now."
The French number 10 who earned 93 caps and scored 26 goals for France said
that he had been considering his international retirement for quite some
time.
"I had this idea even before the European championship. I think I would
have left even if we had a good result. Obviously it's easier to leave
when you lose than when you win."
"There is a day when you understand that he have to make room for the
youths, to leave them enough time to prepare themselves for the 2006 World
Cup."
Zidane, widely regarded as the best French player since Michel Platini,
made his debut with Les Bleus in August 1994 as a substitute against Czech
Republic, scoring two goals in three minutes to help France come from
behind and earn a 2-2 draw.
He made his professional debuts in Cannes before joining Girondins
Bordeaux in 1992 and then to Juventus in 1996.
His transfer from the Italian club to Real Madrid was worth a record 75
million euros in 2001. His contract with the Spanish team runs until 2007.
"My decision is going to give me more time to focus on my job with
Madrid," he said. "I will also have more time to rest throughout the
season."
The Frenchman said his best memory with France was the 1998 World Cup
final when he headed two goals in the first half of the 3-0 victory over
Brazil.
"I will always remember all these people celebrating and chanting in
the streets. The color of the skin didn't matter anymore. There was only
the joy. It will remain like one of the greatest moments in my life."
France begin their qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup next
month and will have to find a replacement for Zidane, though Domenech has
delayed any decision on the matter.
The French coach said the number 10 shirt, normally worn by Zidane,
would be temporarily retired as "it would be too heavy to carry."
Zidane's decision, however, has angered AJ Auxerre coach Guy Roux, who
said the player should be available for his country until he retires from
all soccer.
"I found it's out of place for a player to be considered like a first
choice by his club and to refuse to carry the national team colors," said
Roux.
"It's not up to him to decide. It's (up) to the coach."
(Agencies) |