French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has called time on his career.
French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has called time on his career.The veteran shot stopper is not attached to any club, having left Marseille prior to the World Cup finals and he feels the time has come for him to experience life away from football.
"I am quitting the French team, I am quitting club football," the 35-year-old former France international said on Thursday.
"I am starting a new life. I will continue to enjoy myself, but without football."
Barthez is bowing out at the very top, as his last competitive game was France's defeat to Italy in the World Cup final.
The former Manchester United keeper has had a distinguished career, racking up 87 caps for his country and winning both the World Cup and European Championship.
He won league titles with Marseille, Monaco and Manchester United and also lifted the UEFA Champions League crown with L'OM in 1993.
Barthez had been seeking a move to his first club Toulouse, but the failure to agree a deal would appear to have prompted the keeper to call time on his career.
"The only club I wanted to go to was not so happy to have me," he added. "It happens and you have to live with it.
"I needed an adventure and I have only done things that I want to."
