Should Barthez retire?

[Rima067]

I ask this separately than the other over 30 players because he is a goalkeeper and because he had no faults at Euro04 (or for Les Bleus, like, ever). On football merit and not the generational thing, should he really consider retiring from Les Bleus?


I think he can still go on for the World Cup 06...

[Pierre-Henri]

Yes, I think he should.
He is still as good, but it's more a morale issue. He has won anything: the Euro, the WC... He simply has no motivation enough to carry on. He should be replaced by another GK, who's hungry for victory. Coupet is as good as Barthez, but he is younger and wants to win something.
As a French, I was full of shame to see this team kicked out the last WC and Euro, playing like a 3rd division team from Liechstenstein, and say : "hey, it's just another game. Where are my millions ?".

[Rima067]

Saying he has won Euro and WC, that then means Zidane, Lizarazu, Henry, Vieira, Trezeguet.. should also retire. Do you think that?

[Pierre-Henri]

Frankly, yes

Thuram, Lizarazu, probably Zidane, are already goners.
Maybe my post was a little to harsh. I don't forget the wonderfull joy they gave us in 1998. It was the only time I cried during a "Marseillaise".

But I heard them after the WC2002 and Euro2004. They simply didn't care.
It's sad to see your heroes changing like that. One day, you feel they really represent your nation, with this Black-Blanc-Beur team (Black-White-Arab). The day after, they are just a bunch of millionaires, leading their careers like a business corporation.
"Zizou" made me dream. "Zidane Inc. (tm)" doesn't.