 Makelele has won 52 France caps |
Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele says he will end his France career after the qualifying campaign for Euro 2008. Makelele announced his international retirement after the World Cup but has played on after he was warned he faced a domestic ban if he ignored call-ups.
But the 33-year-old told L'Equipe: "For me there is no question, I will not be going to the Euro finals.
"All I want is that France qualify so that I can walk away from the national squad in peace."
France boss Raymond Domenech had threatened to invoke a Fifa rule which means a domestic ban if Makelele refused to play for his country in their opening qualifiers against Georgia and Italy.
But Makelele hopes Domenech will allow him to retire if France reach the finals.
"I think I am already fulfilling a reasonable objective by helping them to qualify," the former Real Madrid star added.
"I think he will probably accept my decision."
Makelele is in the squad for France's next two qualifers, against Scotland on 7 October and the Faroe Islands on 11 October.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 