Vieira rules out playing for France again
Reuters - Saturday 26 June 2010, 22:25
PARIS - Former France captain Patrick
Vieira said on Saturday he would not be available for selection
under new coach Laurent Blanc, which could mean his prolific
international football career is over.
Vieira, 34, now past his prime, was not included by coach
Raymond Domenech in the French World Cup squad, whose group
stage exit from the finals in South Africa was engulfed in
scandal after players boycotted a training session.
Asked on French television channel Canal Plus if he would
be available for selection under Blanc, who will now replace
Domenech, Vieira said: "No, it wouldn't be reasonable."
One of the world's finest holding midfielders, Vieira was a
prominent member of France's 1998 World Cup and 2000 European
championship-winning teams. He has scored six goals from 107
internationals.
The Senegal-born Vieira's club career features spells at AC
Milan, Arsenal, Juventus and Inter Milan. He now plays for
Manchester City.
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