Lizarazu sets retirement date
Monday, May 1, 2006
Article summary
FC Bayern München's former French international defender Bixente Lizarazu has announced that he will hang up his boots at the end of the season.
Article body
FC Bayern München's former French international defender Bixente Lizarazu has announced he will hang up his boots at the end of the season.
'A new life'
The 36-year-old claimed a fifth German Cup as Bayern beat Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 on Saturday, but has decided to call time on his career despite being offered another year's contract in Munich. "I did not feel fit enough to carry on," he explained. "Now I will start a new life."
Final match
The left-back is expected to make his farewell appearance for Bayern at home against BV Borussia Dortmund on 13 May, by which time he may also have won a sixth German title. He joined the Bavarian club in 1997 following spells with FC Girondins de Bordeaux - where he played 244 French league games - and Athletic Club Bilbao in Spain.
French successes
He remains a hero in France having triumphed at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2000™ with the all-conquering Les Bleus side, and he also landed the top honour in club football as Bayern won the UEFA Champions League in 2000/01.
