Modest Zizou plays down hype

France star Zinedine Zidane says the World Cup final is not just about his retirement.

France star Zinedine Zidane has attempted to play down the hype surrounding his last ever performance in professional football as Les Bleus take on Italy in the World Cup final on Sunday.

The Marseille born schemer is widely regarded as one of the finest players of the past decade and has the chance to bring his glittering career to a close with the greatest prize of all in Berlin.

Zidane has provoked a renaissance in his form during the tournament in Germany, with his showing in the quarter final win over Brazil evoking memories of his best displays for Juventus and Real Madrid.

As such the clash against The Azzurri has been painted in some quarters as a kind of 'Zidane final', with the 34-year-old genius taking centre stage in a bid to match his two-goal contribution in France's victory against Brazil in 1998.

However the modest midfielder says the focus must remain on the achievements of the team as Raymond Domenech aims to lead Les Bleus to their second World Cup triumph.

"People are always asking me about this World Cup being emotional or special because of my retirement, but there is nothing special happening around me concerning this being my last World Cup," Zidane is quoted as saying in the Daily Star.

"I don't want to be special, I don't want to be talked about as a separate part from the group.

"I'm in the group with my team-mates, I'm focused on the competition and there is a good spirit in the team.

"I have good memories of 1998 and to raise the trophy again would be very special.

"It's going to be very, very difficult and we are going to have to be at the top of our game but we have the weapons to do it."

Zidane believes the spirit in the French camp could be key to their chances against Italy, echoing the sentiments of right-back Willy Sagnol on Friday.

"Our motto is 'We live together or we die together' and there is a great team spirit," Zidane added.

"It would be magnificent if we could win the trophy, not just for the players but for all our personnel and all the people who have supported us, particularly those who have been behind us from the start and not those who joined in half-way through."