Real Madrid ace Zidane to retire after World Cup

Real Madrid ace Zinedine Zidane is set to hang up his boots after this year's World Cup.
 
Despite the Frenchman's dazzling display against Sevilla on Sunday, Zidane has informed president Florentino Perez that he won't fulfil the final year of his Real contract.

Zidane will be 34 in June and admits his body can no longer take the toll of a long season at a club such as Madrid.

A Real insider said: "Zinedine is exemplary and we know he is raising his game now to prepare his good bye to football."

"We have asked him to continue until 2007 because his magic will never finish, but he prefers to only focus until May and then the World Cup before announcing his retirement. His place will be impossible to cover... "