Zidane: I'd love to play against Ireland…but won't
France will not be calling on midfield maestro Zinedine Zidane to help them qualify for the 2006 World Cup after the Real Madrid playmaker confirmed he would stand by his decision to retire from international football.
Zidane, who last played for France in their disappointing Euro 2004 campaign, had hinted he could make a one-off return for Les Bleus in their crunch top-of-the-table World Cup qualifying clash with the Republic of Ireland on September 7.
The classy midfielder had told the French press: “It will probably not happen but coming back in Dublin, playing in Lansdowne Road in front of 50,000 Irish people, win and leave the team again, yes, it would suit me.
“I think I would like it.”
But Zidane has set the record straight by insisting he would not be coming out of international retirement, even though he still has a burning desire to turn out for his country again.
“My decision has remained the same,” he told L’Equipe. “I am not France’s saviour and I don’t want anyone to think I could be. I still have the desire to play for France but there’s a huge gap between saying it and doing it.
“It’s hard coming back on such a decision.”
France are struggling to secure qualification to the World Cup in Germany after drawing four of their first six group games.
They top Group Four but are level on points with Israel and have Switzerland and the Irish, who both have a game in hand over Les Bleus, breathing down their necks.
