HAMELN, Germany _ France defender Lilian Thuram seems ready to quit international soccer for the second time after the World Cup.

"I am savoring this World Cup, it is fun, but it's best for all I should stop," the 34-year-old said Monday.

Thuram, who made his debut in 1994 on the same day as Zinedine Zidane, joked that his age meant that he should quit "for the sake of everyone."

Born on January 1, 1972, Thuram is the oldest player ever to play for France at a World Cup and his central defensive partnership with William Gallas has conceded two goals in five tournament matches.

Thuram first retired from international soccer after France's quarterfinal loss to Greece at the 2004 European Championship. He returned a year later with Zidane and Claude Makelele to help France qualify for Germany 2006.

Thuram is already France's appearance record-holder and is set to play his 120th game in Wednesday's semifinal against Portugal.

A yellow card would suspend him from the final or third-place playoff.