Zidane ponders retirement after World Cup

French international skipper Zinedine Zidane is considering quitting the game after next summer's World Cup finals.

"It's in my head. I'm not sure if I will keep going until 2007. I have six more months with Real Madrid, the World Cup and then we will see," said Zidane in an interview to be published in the Journal du Dimanche this weekend.

Zidane, who scored two of the goals that gave France the World Cup in a 3-0 win against Brazil in the 1998 final, had originally quit the national team after Euro 2004.

But he was tempted out of retirement to help his team's faltering campaign to reach the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

"I came out of retirement not just to help qualification but also because this team has the players who can do something," said Zidane.

"Our players are with some of the best clubs in Europe and I am convinced we can go a long way. It's necesary to get down to work because this could be the last chance for players like me."