PARIS, 26 April 2006 — Zinedine Zidane said yesterday he would retire after the World Cup finals in Germany.
“It’s my decision and it’s final,” the France and Real Madrid playmaker told French television channel Canal.
The 33-year-old, who led France to victory in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, had hinted recently he was ready to quit.
Zidane became the world’s most expensive footballer when Real signed him from Juventus for $66 million in 2001 and he scored a superb winner to earn Real their ninth European Cup in the 2002 final against Bayer Leverkusen.
