Dmac
04-25-2006, 06:53 PM
Zidane to retire after World Cup
http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/761/41598808zidane2033ie.jpg
Real Madrid's French international Zinedine Zidane is to retire after the World Cup finals in Germany.
"It's my decision and it's final," the France and Real Madrid playmaker told French television channel Canal+.
The 33-year-old Zidane has a year to run on his contract at Real but injuries have dogged him over the last couple of seasons.
Real signed him from Juventus for $66m (£37m) in 2001 - making him at that time the world's most expensive player.
The following season he scored the winning goal to earn the Bernabeu outfit their ninth European Cup triumph in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Zidane added: "I have to listen to my body and I cannot carry on for another year," said Zidane, who cited Real's poor results as one of the reasons for his decision.
"I think it is better to clarify the situation now."
http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/761/41598808zidane2033ie.jpg
Real Madrid's French international Zinedine Zidane is to retire after the World Cup finals in Germany.
"It's my decision and it's final," the France and Real Madrid playmaker told French television channel Canal+.
The 33-year-old Zidane has a year to run on his contract at Real but injuries have dogged him over the last couple of seasons.
Real signed him from Juventus for $66m (£37m) in 2001 - making him at that time the world's most expensive player.
The following season he scored the winning goal to earn the Bernabeu outfit their ninth European Cup triumph in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Zidane added: "I have to listen to my body and I cannot carry on for another year," said Zidane, who cited Real's poor results as one of the reasons for his decision.
"I think it is better to clarify the situation now."