Zidane Retiring 2005 -- No WC 2006?

[kevbrunton]

This article reports that Zidane will be retiring after his contract with Real is up in 2005.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=272394&cc=5901

One must assume that he therefore wouldn't be available to play for France in WC 2006. Would that be a big surprise for France? Would he likely have played anyway or is he going to be too old by then to earn a spot?

[IASocFan]

Things change a lot in two years. Planning two years out is a great idea, but things change and so do plans.

[giggs88]

zidane also said no one or nthing would change his mind about retiring.i hope his last two years are is best.

[Soccerfever]

Originally posted by kevbrunton
One must assume that he therefore wouldn't be available to play for France in WC 2006. Would that be a big surprise for France?

Does this also means that France will exit the first round in Germany 2006?:)

[MIGkiller]

Originally posted by Soccerfever
Does this also means that France will exit the first round in Germany 2006?:)

No, it means that they could not even qualify for it. ;)

[romagol10]

That's a shame, Zidane seems to be the type of player who could still play well at 35. He might be slower by then but I'm sure he'd still have the moves and the passing ability. I think he wants to end his career after a good season and not go out after a poor season or one spent on the bench (like Batistuta).

[ZZ10]

If France does well at next year Euro tournament, I hope he'll change his mind. I want to see more magic Zizou - please stay (at least) until 2006.

[Excape Goat]

Originally posted by MIGkiller
No, it means that they could not even qualify for it. ;)

France has not qualified for a WC Finals since 1986. Maradona was a hundred pound lighter.

[miko]

It will be unfortunate if he does not play in WC2006, as he only got to play a bit of a match in WC2002. I'd say he would still be able to play in WC2006 if he wanted to.

[david dunn]

Originally posted by IASocFan
Things change a lot in two years. Planning two years out is a great idea, but things change and so do plans.

things can also change a lot in two days, he said he could go on if he'll be physically able to after 2005...

[david dunn]

Originally posted by MIGkiller
No, it means that they could not even qualify for it. ;)

Don't be ridiculous, the error of not prepare zidane's replacement probably cost us the last world cup, we can't do the same mistake two times, and we began to learn playing without him(cf confed cup), we'll be there with or without zidane! ;)

[AvidSinger]

Originally posted by kevbrunton
This article reports that Zidane will be retiring after his contract with Real is up in 2005.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=272394&cc=5901

One must assume that he therefore wouldn't be available to play for France in WC 2006. Would that be a big surprise for France? Would he likely have played anyway or is he going to be too old by then to earn a spot? Is that a real retirement or a Michael Jordan retirement?

[Soccerfever]

Originally posted by david dunn
and we began to learn playing without him(cf confed cup),

Began?It was about time!:)

[PumaBear]

It's a shame we will not see Zizou in 2006 because we dod not see him in the horrendous 2002 WC

[Mario]

Originally posted by giggs88

i hope his last two years are is best.


I dont

[Danks81]

I bet he retires from international soccer after Euro 2004. He will not be playing in Germany 2006 and I believe he is wise enough to force France's transition without him sooner rather than later.

[Fevernova99]

Zidane is a classy guy he will not do a Michael Jordan retirement, and he has won everything he can possibly win I believe. I'm thinking his reason is he will be a bit old and let the next generation take over, he probably wants to retire on his own then retire due to an injury. I think when he leaves we wont see him around much, he probably will not take up any commentary jobs or tour the world like pele, thats just the way he is...

[Alphonse]

That will be a plus sad day, I will admit that I will le cry of sadness when he retires, I will le look like this :(

But then I will le look like this :D when la France wins le world cup the next year

[david dunn]

He said several time this inyterview was a mistake, he said he don't know when he will retire, he just said he want to retire on his top, so I think we have a good chance to see him in WC 2006...