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French national team defender Claude Makelele announced the end of his career in the national team after the World Cup.
The 33-year-old player, born in Africa, had already retired from the team after the 2004 European Championship, but later decided to return along with Zinedine Zidane and Lilian Thuram to help the team in this year's World Cup.
Captain Zidane also announced the end of his career before the World Cup. It is also almost certain that Thuram will leave the team. Makelele himself says that making such a decision was difficult, but he believes that it is time for the "old guard" to step down and give way to young players, such as Franck Ribery.
"It's a very difficult decision, but I think it's for the best," Makelele said. "It's time to make way for young players who are eager to play and win games. I think it will benefit all of French football."
Makelele made his debut for the French national team in 1995 and has played 50 matches since then. However, the player did not win any titles with the team as he was not included in the squad for the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship, in which the French team triumphed. He became a regular player for the French team only after the European Championship.
