Flamini quashes quit claims

AC Milan ace will never turn his back on France

Last updated: 3rd September 2008

Mathieu Flamini France training

Flamini: Will never quit

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French midfielder Mathieu Flamini has quashed speculation he retired from international duty after missing out on Euro 2008.

The 24-year-old, who joined AC Milan from Arsenal this summer, missed out on Raymond Domenech's 23-man squad for Austria and Switzerland. Although he was on stand-by due to doubts over Patrick Vieira's fitness.

Despite Vieira not playing in Austria and Switzerland, Flamini did not get the call-up and France once again flattered to deceive after finishing bottom of Group C with just one point to their name.

However, Flamini is over the disappointment of missing out over the summer and says he will always answer his country's call should the national coach come knocking.

Always on call

"I remain in the service of the France team. I'll always respond to a call-up," he told L'Equipe.

"I'm not someone who gets bitter about these things. I watched Euro 2008 on the telly, I was still a big supporter of Les Bleus.

"I felt concerned. Things didn't happen as we wanted it to, we missed a chance.

"But everyone has taken stock of things, now we need to turn the page and focus on the present."