Zidane feels at the top of his form

Eleven days before France begin the defence of their European title, Zinedine Zidane says he is at the very top of his form.

"I feel I am at the peak of my career," Zidane told a news conference on Wednesday. "I'm going to be 32 years old and this European championship is coming at just the right time."

The statement was surprising from a shy character like Zidane who has always been reluctant to brag about his abilities despite outstanding performances for both club and country.

It was also in stark contrast with his views last month after Real Madrid had been knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Monaco.

Zidane, world footballer of the year three times, said then he was playing his worst football for five years. Madrid also finished fourth in the league to end a disappointing season.

"I'm happy that is over," Zidane said. "The longer it lasted, the more distressing it was. Now I'm aiming at another challenge."

"I feel relaxed and fit," he said. "But it's not only me, it's the whole team. Unlike in 2002, we have had time to prepare ourselves."

Zidane, the instrumental player in the victorious 1998 World Cup and 2000 European campaigns, picked up a thigh injury five days before the opening match in South Korea in 2002.

He missed France's first two games and returned too late to prevent the world champions' shock first-round exit.

"We feel frustrated when we think about our failure. But it lies behind us now, we are a team of winners.

Zidane said France would go to Portugal with the sole aim of becoming the first country to retain the European title.

"Winning is something you never get enough of."

The French number 10 has not made up his mind yet but Euro 2004 could be his last major international tournament.

Zidane will be 34 at the 2006 World Cup should France qualify and, despite his lack of plans for his future after soccer, it's far from certain he will carry on until then.

"My life is dedicated to soccer. This is what I do for a living."