Zidane says Real could be his last club

French playmaker Zinedine Zidane could end his career when his contract with Spanish giants Real Madrid comes to an end in 2005.

"I'm signed to Real until 2005 and I think I will honour my contract," the 1998 World Cup winner was quoted as saying in the French daily Le Parisien on Friday.

"Afterwards, at 33-34, I think it will be a good time to put an end to my career."

Although the 30-year-old admitted he had not made any firm decisions yet, he ruled out returning to his native country.

"I've played in the biggest clubs so it would be a little difficult.

"To return to France would be a decision from the heart. And I don't want my career to be ruled by my heart but by reason. I want to finish at the top," he said.

The top for Zidane -- who supports his hometown team Olympique Marseille and Girondins Bordeaux, the club in which he made his first real impression -- is to play in the Spanish Liga.

"The best league is here in Spain. It's bubbling football, all out attack. It's much better than the locked play you have in Italy," he said.

Looking back on France's disastrous World Cup, Zidane, who had a knee injury and missed France's first two games, said it had been a very hard time.

"I was not feeling part of the squad, not because of them but because of my injury.

"When they were training, I was receiving treatment.

"It was a hard period to live," he said.

But he insisted France, who had an ideal start to their Euro 2004 campaign with three wins in three games, would fight hard to retain the European crown.

"We're working to be competitive and to be European champions once again," he warned.