Bixente Lizarazu has denied reports that hehas quit international football.
The Bayern Munich wingback misses tomorrow’s friendly between France and Tunisia – the French first since their World Cup debacle – because of injury but not because of a lack of will.
Lizarazu said: “I strained a thigh muscle in a pre-season friendly against Karlsruhe but that is the only reason I was not available for France and I told the new coach (Jacqes Santini).
‘Hopefully I will be back for Bayern next weekend against Hamburg and then I want to go on playing for France – if Santini wants me, of course – right up until the next European championship finals in Portugal.”
Lizarazu was a member of the French double-winning side at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
By Keir Radnedge
