© EuroFootball.com
At the moment, the gatekeeper of the French national team Fabien Barthez, who is guarding the gates, declared today that he intends to finish his career in 2006.
"I am already 33 years old, so there is not much time left to play," F. Barthez told journalists at the French national team camp on Thursday. "I will finish playing in 2006. At any level. And as long as I play, I will be 300 percent dedicated. After all, I would not be in the French national team if I were not devoted."
The main reason for this decision was the diminishing love for soccer, according to the former "Man Utd" goalkeeper: "The world of football appeals to me less and less. It is becoming degenerate. I cannot specify... sometimes it is better to bite my tongue."
Since his debut in May 1994, F. Barthez guarded the gates for France 73 times. He became the first goalkeeper for "Les Bleus" in the 1998 World Cup, where France, defeating Brazil 3-0 in the final, became world champion.
The Frenchman began his club career at "Toulouse," then moved to "Marseille" in 1992 and won the UEFA Cup the following year. In 1995, Barthez transferred to "Monaco," from where he moved to Manchester United two and a half years later. After a period accompanied by various scandals at the English club, F. Barthez left in December 2003, when he was sold to "Marseille."
Last August, F. Barthez had spoken about ending his international career, but the new coach Raymond Domenech persuaded the 33-year-old Frenchman to continue guarding the French gates at the 2006 World Cup.
On April 7, Barthez will have to explain to the French Football Discipline Commission regarding an incident during a friendly match between "Marseille" and "Wydad Casablanca." The goalkeeper is accused of assaulting the referee during that match.
"When people cannot defeat you on the field, they do it outside the field," - this is how Fabien Barthez himself commented on the situation.
