source: gfx.dagbladet.no

We all knew this summers World Cup would be Zinedine Zidane's last, but it now seems he will retire from football altogether once the tournament is over. His Real Madrid contract runs until June 2007, but Zidane will forgo the years wages (6 million or so Euros) and hang up his boots.

football will be less fun to watch without the man's sumptious skills, but this is absolutely the right decision for him and for Madrid. It's great that he will bow out at the top, and not be seen scratching around the lower divisions of French football. In his absence Madrid can begin rebuilding, and hopefully leave the 'galactico' policy behind.