Zidane: Retiring after World Cup "not the case"
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-24 15:55

Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane denied that he will retire from soccer after this year's World Cup.

Spanish press reports said the 33-year-old France international told Madrid president Florentino Perez that he planned quit soccer after the World Cup finals, which starts June 9.

"That's not the case, but over here these type of little things are normal to fill the pages of newspapers," Zidane told Canal Plus television station Sunday. "You shouldn't attach too much importance to it. I let others talk and concentrate on what I have to do."

Zidane scored his first career hat trick against Sevilla last Saturday and said he feels he is coming back to form at the right time to help France at the World Cup.

"I want to finish my season and have a good World Cup and then we'll see," Zidane said. "I had a groin problem that lasted a long time and also an ankle problem, but now I'm a lot better physically."

Zidane also expects Madrid to do well in the Champions League. The Spanish team faces Arsenal at home on Feb. 21.

"I think the team will be very strong in February," he said.