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On the same day, when the coach of the French national team, Raymond Domenech, announced the team composition, one of the team leaders and the title holder of the best player in the world of the previous year, midfielder Zinedine Zidane, announced his retirement from international football.
"I have decided after careful consideration. I think at some point you have to say stop. Now is the time, it's my turn. It's the end of a cycle. Some important players ended in 2000 and 2002, some now, and I am one of them," Z.Zidane said on his official website.
Announcing the team composition for friendly matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina, R. Domenech regretted: "I am sorry about that. I wanted him to continue, but he thought he should make way for younger players."
Z.Zidane, who turned 32 on June 23, made his debut for the national team in 1994 against the Czech Republic. In that match, the midfielder scored two goals. After a disappointing Euro-96, the time came for the 1998 World Cup, which took place in France - in the final of the tournament, Z.Zidane scored twice with his head and helped his team become the best on the planet for the first time.
Later, "Zizou" won the Euro-2000 champions title, but in the 2002 World Cup he played only once, as France sensationally withdrew after the group stage. During Euro-2004, his two accurate shots helped the French defeat the English, but later, in the quarterfinals, they were forced to admit the superiority of the future champion Greece.
The last match was the 93rd and at the same time the last of the player's career representing the national team. In total, playing for the national team, Z.Zidane scored 27 goals, and whenever he managed to score, the French never lost those matches.
