Zizou brings forward retirement

The Real Madrid ace revealed he had made the decision to bring forward his retirement from international football following France's miserable World Cup exit.

The world's most expensive player had previously indicated that he would like to continue playing for Les Bleus until after the 2006 World Cup when he would be 33.

Zidane only played one game in the Far East, the defeat to Denmark, after picking up a thigh injury in a warm-up game with South Korea a week before the finals.

His presence was sorely missed as France fell to a shock opening day defeat to Senegal and a goalless draw with Uruguay and his return to Denmark could not save their skins.

"It's not just the fact that we were eliminated, but the way in which it happened," said Zidane. "I'll be around for Euro 2004 and then I'll be quitting.

"The feeling I'm left with is disappointment. Getting knocked out in the first round like that just isn't right. There are many things we did not do correctly, but for the moment it is better not to talk about it."