France playmaker Zinedine Zidane has announced that he is ending his international career after a 10-year spell with Les Bleus.
"I've an important statement to make," said the 32-year-old playmaker on his web site on Thursday. "My international career is over now.
"I called the coach yesterday to let him know I had made up my mind. I think it was the right time to say 'stop'," he said.
France coach Raymond Domenech confirmed the news as he unveiled his squad for next week's friendly against Bosnia.
"Zidane will not play for France anymore. I'm sorry about it. I would have liked him to carry on. He thought he had to leave the place to young players," said Domenech.
Zidane has had a long and successful career with France, winning the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European championship.
His retirement closes a glorious chapter in French soccer history since only goalkeeper Fabien Barthez remains from the team that beat Brazil to become world champions in 1998.
Zidane's announcement came after defenders Lilian Thuram and Bixente Lizarazu and captain Marcel Desailly had all called time on their international careers since the end of Euro 2004.
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