Barthez to retire in 2006

France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has announced that he will retire next year, adding he has become more and more disillusioned with the sport.

"I am 33 years old. There are not many seasons left for me," Barthez told reporters on Thursday as France prepared for their World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Israel.

"I'll call a halt in 2006. From all football.

"But as long as I am here, I am motivated 300 per cent. You don't come in the French team if you are not motivated.

"I like the world of soccer less and less. It's getting rotten. I don't have a precise example... Sometimes you're better keeping your mouth shut."

Barthez, the only player in the squad who played at Euro 1996 under Aime Jacquet, has won 73 caps since his debut against Australia in May 1994.

He became first choice for the 1998 World Cup, which France won by beating Brazil 3-0 in the final, and was also a member of the side that won Euro 2000.

Barthez started his club career at Toulouse before moving to Olympique Marseille in 1992, winning the European Cup the following season against AC Milan.

He moved to Monaco in 1995 before joining Manchester United for a two-and-a-half-year spell. He returned to Marseille in December 2003.

Barthez captained France for their first game under coach Raymond Domenech in a friendly against Bosnia in August 2004.

He then suggested he would not play for France again but Domenech convinced him to continue until the 2006 World Cup finals.

Barthez will appear before a French federation disciplinary committee on April 7 for spitting on a referee during a friendly between Marseille and Wydad Casdablanca last month.

"When people don't find ways to shoot you on the pitch, they do it off the pitch," he said.