Zidane to play in World Cup

Zinedine Zidane says he will play in the 2006 World Cup should France qualify for the tournament in Germany.

"I want to play in another World Cup but first we have to qualify and we've got three or four important games coming up to do that," Zidane told a news conference at Real Madrid's pre-season training camp in Irdning in Austria on Friday.

The 33-year-old announced on Wednesday he was returning to international duty for a friendly against Ivory Coast later this month before playing the World Cup qualifiers with Les Bleus.

The Real Madrid playmaker had announced his retirement from international football after France's quarter-final exit by eventual winners Greece at Euro 2004.

RESUME PLAYING

France lie fourth in the European Group Four standings, three points behind group leaders Ireland but with a game in hand. The two sides meet on September 7 in Lansdowne Road.

Zidane said his u-turn had not come as a result of pressure from national coach Raymond Domenech, but he said he had talked the matter over with midfielder Claude Makelele who has also decided to resume playing for the national side.

"It was a completely personal decision that I thought over very carefully and one that I've made with all my heart," he said.

"There was no pressure from anyone, it was all down to me and I'm very happy to be coming back ... I did speak to my friend Makelele about it though."

"Playing for the national team is something I need. I want to be 100 percent like I always was before, I want to be thinking about football all the time.

"Last year when I saw all my team mates leave to play with their respective national teams and I stayed training at Real I didn't like it at all."

Zidane, who is under contract to Real Madrid until 2007, said he had not yet decided when he would hang up his boots altogether.

"I've got a contract (with Real) but it will be me that decides what to do. I'm going to work hard this season and give everything for he team, for myself and for the fans. After that we'll have to see what happens."