Makelele Officially Retiring!
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France midfielder Claude Makelele is to end his international career after the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
The Chelsea man announced after the World Cup that he no longer wished to play for Les Bleus, but France coach Raymond Domenech called him up for duty nonetheless.
Controversy ensued, with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho even claiming that Makelele was being treated like 'a slave' and that he should not be forced to play against his will.
However, club and country have now settled on an agreement to allow Makelele to play in the remaining qualifiers but not the competition's final stages in Austria and Switzerland.
"It is a controversy I want to end today," the 33-year-old told L'Equipe.
"I have found an agreement with my club and my national coach.
"When I came back to London after the last match against Italy, I had a talk with my coach José Mourinho, before talking again to Domenech.
"He made me understand that I had to reverse my decision to stop playing.
"For Chelsea, the priority was to avoid Fifa sanctions and controversy, but Mourinho didn't understand why Domenech called me again after I said I wanted to stop.
"There had never been any secret agreement with Mourinho for me to stop playing with Les Bleus. It was just my decision.
"But now there won't be any more controversy because I am back in the French team for the next match.
"My aim is to do my best for the French team and to get qualification, but I won't go on.
"It is clear in my mind, I won't play Euro 2008. I believe Domenech will be right with me, as it will be the correct time to hand over.
"I believe Domenech and Mourinho had a talk recently, so I am happy that everything has been settled for everyone and above all for me."
Although Makelele is committed to France's qualifying campaign, he would like to see Domenech plan for the future by selecting younger players ahead of him in certain games.
"I believe that if we achieve a good result in Scotland, it would be nice for the coach to try a young player like Jérémy Toulalan on the Wednesday against Faeroe Islands," he explained. -
this show that how important makelele is @ doing the dirty job he want to retire the coach dun allow him ==
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what ? after 2008 ? J.Mourinho must be furious , man .
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when does qualifier ends? aiyah maybe if france qualify earlier, he might quit liao ma..Originally posted by Poolman:what ? after 2008 ? J.Mourinho must be furious , man .
2008 makelele 35 by then ar?