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Zidane & Makelele back for France

Submitted by Neville Nixon on Sat, 06/08/2005 - 09:13.

Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane says he will come out of International retirement to play for France.
The 33-year-old retired from International football after the 2004 European Championships in Portugal.

"I have gone back on my decision, one year after I said it was categorical," Zidane has been quoted as saying.

Chelsea's 32-year-old midfielder Claude Makelele also wants to come out of International retirement after quitting following Euro 2004, saying "All of the team were unhappy following our poor performances, and I might have over reacted back then!"

In April Zidane denied rumours he was going to change his mind over retirement.

Zidane won the World Cup with France in 1998, scoring two goals in the final, and also helped the team win Euro 2000.

Before retirement, he had won 93 caps and scored 26 goals in his career.

He will make his comeback in a friendly against the Ivory Coast on 17 August.

France are currently fourth in Group Four of the qualifying campaign for the 2006 finals, three points behind group leaders the Republic of Ireland.

Switzerland are second with 12 points with Israel are in third spot on 11.

France's next World Cup qualifiers are against the Faroe Islands at home on 3 September and the Republic of Ireland in Dublin four days later.


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