Thuram to quit international football

HAMELIN (Germany): French defender Lilian Thuram confirmed that he is to retire from international football at the end of this World Cup.

France face Portugal on Wednesday for a place in the final against either Germany or Italy and the 34-year-old says once his team has finished its odyssey in Germany, he will be calling it a day with the international team.

"At the moment, I am savouring this World Cup. I am having fun because it's the last. But it's best for all I should stop at my age," he said Monday.

Thuram made his debut in 1994 along with Zinedine Zidane and is the oldest player to line out for France at a World Cup final.

The Juventus defender initially retired from international football at Euro 2004 after France's quarterfinal loss to eventual winners Greece.

But he returned to the fold a year later along with Zidane and Claude Makelele as France struggled to qualify for Germany.

Thuram is France's most capped player and will make his 120th appearance for Les Blues against Portugal.