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I'm sticking with Juve says Zidane
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Updated: 2001-05-25 09:53
World and European champion Zinedine Zidane brushed aside speculation Thursday and confirmed his commitment to Italian outfit Juventus next season.
"I'm staying with Juve, that's it. If newspapers want to amuse themselves by putting me in other jerseys I don't know what to say," Zidane told Italian sports weekly Rigore.
The French playmaker has become an integral part of the Italian side since signing in 1996.
And his key role was underlined Sunday when he inspired Juve to come from behind to beat Bologna 4-1 and stay in the three-way race for the Scudetto.
Juve, deprived of the battling qualities of midfielder Edgar Davids who is suspended pending his doping hearing, showed little sign of missing the dreadlocked Dutchman as Zidane stole the show, sometimes producing gasps of admiration from even the home fans.
According to Spanish press reports Primera Liga giants Real Madrid have rekindled their interest in the French player after a previous failed attempt to lure him to Spain last year.
And Zidane, who will be 29 years old next month, said that he did not see himself playing in five years time.
"I'm certain that I won't play until I'm 35 (years old). Football is not only a passion when you're young. It's also pressure. I know that life exists outside football and I don't want to die for football," added Zidane.
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