When Zinedine Zidane announced late in April he was bringing down the curtain on his illustrious career by retiring at the end of the World Cup, no-one was really too surprised.

The signs have been obvious for some time that Zidane was no longer the commanding force of old and that the time was fast approaching for the 33-year-old to hang up his boots.

However, France go to the World Cup hoping the old maestro still has something left in his armoury for his final few matches. How well France do at the World Cup much depends on how sharp Zidane can be in Germany.

The three-times World Player of the Year is no longer the same player who led France to their 1998 World Cup triumph and the European title in 2000 but he remains essential to the squad.

The gifted midfielder, who came out of international retirement last year to help his country qualify for the finals, has lost some of his pace but none of his skills.

He has looked rusty, however, in below-par performances for Real Madrid in recent months and France fans are all hoping he will be fit and ready next month.

The magic number 10 tore a thigh muscle two weeks before France started the defence of their world title in South Korea in 2002. The then holders were eliminated in the first round after failing to win a match or even to score a goal.

The inspirational playmaker shelved his international career after Les Bleus suffered a shock elimination at the hands of Greece in the quarter-finals of the 2004 European championship.

France looked ordinary without him but in August 2005, along with defender Lilian Thuram and midfielder Claude Makelele, he returned and helped his country to win their ticket to Germany.

Zidane's vision, effortless close control, delicate turns and ability to create space made him one of soccer's greatest ever players.

He began his career at Cannes before moving to Bordeaux but it was with Juventus that he made his mark. By the time he moved to Real Madrid in 2001, he was the world's most expensive player, costing around $66 million.

Voted European Footballer of the Year in 1998 and World Player of the Year in 1999, 2000 and 2003, he came second only to Michel Platini as France's most respected footballer.

That talent enabled Zidane, the son of Algerian immigrants, to live a life that most from his humble roots in the tough La Castellane district of Marseille could only dream about.

The discreet Zidane will not mind being out of the limelight once his playing days are over.

For the moment, though, he wants to savour the last stretch of his glittering career.