Makelele confirms quit date

Euro 2008 will be end for midfielder

By Patrick Haond   Last updated: 20th May 2008

Claude Makelele

Makelele to quit after Euros

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Claude Makelele has confirmed he intends to quit international football after Euro 2008.

The 35-year-old Chelsea midfielder previously announced his retirement from France after the World Cup in 2006.

But coach Raymond Domenech refused to accept his decision and called him up and so Makelele went back on his decision to play in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Now ahead of the tournament in Austria & Switzerland, Makelele insists he will not change his mind again.

"Will I stop French team after Euro 2008? This time you have to believe me, I believe I will stop," he told L'Equipe.

"What I have experienced with Les Bleus is fantastic. But at a certain time, a player has to stop. Today it is my turn.

"I want to stay in my club and not join again with national team."