Zidane to retire after World Cup

France international Zinedine Zidane has announced he will retire from football after this summer's World Cup finals.

France international Zinedine Zidane has announced he will retire from football after this summer's World Cup finals.

The 33-year-old playmaker's contract at Real Madrid is due to expire in the summer of 2007 but he has opted to hang up his boots a year earlier, citing fitness concerns as the main reason behind his decision.

"After the World Cup, I will stop playing football," he told Canal Plus. "It is especially because of my body. I cannot play on for another year."