His decision comes just two weeks after the 32-year-old helped lead Etoile du Sahel to victory in the Cup Winners Cup.

The Tunisian side beat Julius Berger of Nigeria 3-2 on aggregate to take the Cup Winners title in the competition's final season.

Beya played a leading role for the Tunisian club throughout their Cup Winners campaign.

Beya and his midfield partner Ivorian Ibrahima Kone were the most feared midfield combination throughout the competition.

But Beya, who returned to Tunisia this season, after two years at Besiktas in Turkey, has decided hang up his boots.

The talented 32-year-old was one of Tunisia's most high-profile overseas players, having played for Freiburg in the German Bundesliga before moving to Turkey.

He was also a key member of Tunisia's 1998 and 2002 World Cup squads and was twice named Tunisian Footballer of the Year.

Beya played in four Nations Cup for the Carthage Eagles but has not been part of coach Roger Lemerre's plans for the 2004 event which Tunisia will host.