Zidane explains quit decision
Zinedine Zidane has explained the reasons behind his decision to quit international football.
Zinedine Zidane has explained the reasoning behind his decision to end his international career with France.The Real Madrid playmaker has called time on his international days, in a decision which was greeted with some surprise in many quarters.
However, the player has revealed that he had been considering his future for some time and that now is the right time to announce his retirement.
''I have thought about my decision for a long time,'' Zidane told L'Equipe. ''Simply I state it today, because you have to do it one day.
''It can be difficult to say, and difficult to live, but it is logical after everything that has happened.
''Often victories push you to go on and defeats the contrary decision.''
Having won both the European Championship and the World Cup as a talismanic figure for the national side, Zidane believes that after two disappointing campaigns the end of an era has passed.
Zidane is not the only high profile name to have announced his retirement and the gifted midfielder is confident that he has arrived at the correct decision.
''I had a feeling that something has passed,'' he continued. ''Something has broken.
''I am part of the generation of Thuram, Desailly, Liza.
''I found it a little scandalous the way Marcel was treated - it was scandalous and difficult.
''But it is not because I am afraid to live the same thing that I leave.
''A page has turned. Make way for the young. There is an end to everything.''
