PARIS (AP) - Claude Makelele won't play at the 2008 European Championships if France qualifies.
However, the Chelsea midfielder said in Saturday's edition of sports daily L'Equipe that he is happy to keep playing with the national team until then.
''My objective is to do the maximum so that France qualifies,'' Makelele said. ''But I won't go further. I won't go to Euro 2008. It will be time to pass on the baton. I don't see myself going at my age.''
Makelele, who has 52 caps, would be 35 at the tournament.
Makelele had originally planned to retire from international soccer after the World Cup, but France coach Raymond Domenech insisted he play. Domenech's stance was backed by a FIFA ruling which meant that Makelele would be suspended from playing with Chelsea if he refused a call up.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said at the time that Domenech was treating Makelele ''like a slave.''
''This is an argument I would like to close,'' Makelele said. ''I have reached an agreement with my coach and my national coach. I have got the idea in my head that I am still a France player.''
Makelele says it is likely that Domenech and Mourinho have agreed that he won't have to play against weaker opposition.
France plays Scotland in Glasgow on Oct. 7 and then hosts the Faeroe Islands four days after.
''I think if we get a good result against Scotland, it will be good if he (Domenech) tries out a younger player like (Jeremy) Toulalan against the Faeroe Islands on Wednesday,'' Makelele said.
Makelele added that Mourinho was ''only trying to protect'' him when he said he no longer wanted to play for Les Bleus, and does not expect Domenech to contest his decision this time.
''There won't be a debate,'' Makelele said. ''I'll think he'll be good enough to leave me alone.''
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Well I guess that's the last of one of the best only real defensive midfielder ever.
However, the Chelsea midfielder said in Saturday's edition of sports daily L'Equipe that he is happy to keep playing with the national team until then.
''My objective is to do the maximum so that France qualifies,'' Makelele said. ''But I won't go further. I won't go to Euro 2008. It will be time to pass on the baton. I don't see myself going at my age.''
Makelele, who has 52 caps, would be 35 at the tournament.
Makelele had originally planned to retire from international soccer after the World Cup, but France coach Raymond Domenech insisted he play. Domenech's stance was backed by a FIFA ruling which meant that Makelele would be suspended from playing with Chelsea if he refused a call up.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said at the time that Domenech was treating Makelele ''like a slave.''
''This is an argument I would like to close,'' Makelele said. ''I have reached an agreement with my coach and my national coach. I have got the idea in my head that I am still a France player.''
Makelele says it is likely that Domenech and Mourinho have agreed that he won't have to play against weaker opposition.
France plays Scotland in Glasgow on Oct. 7 and then hosts the Faeroe Islands four days after.
''I think if we get a good result against Scotland, it will be good if he (Domenech) tries out a younger player like (Jeremy) Toulalan against the Faeroe Islands on Wednesday,'' Makelele said.
Makelele added that Mourinho was ''only trying to protect'' him when he said he no longer wanted to play for Les Bleus, and does not expect Domenech to contest his decision this time.
''There won't be a debate,'' Makelele said. ''I'll think he'll be good enough to leave me alone.''
---------
Well I guess that's the last of one of the best only real defensive midfielder ever.
