Zidane to retire after World Cup

PARIS (AFP) - Real Madrid's inspirational French playmaker Zinedine Zidane announced that he will retire from football after this summer's World Cup in Germany.

"After the World Cup, I will stop playing football," Zidane told Canal Plus television.

"The World Cup is my last goal. That's the only thing I want to focus on," said Zidane, affirming that his decision was "definitive".

"I want people to be in the know before the World Cup."

Just when I am having a real bad week, this happens...

Alan Shearer, Zinedine Zedane, my football heroes are retiring one after the other.