Boghossian's French farewell

RCD Espanyol's French midfield player Alain Boghossian has confirmed his retirement from international football.

Twenty-six caps
The 32-year-old, who earned the last of his 26 caps in France's 2-1 home defeat against Belgium in May, was a non-playing member of their FIFA World Cup squad in the summer but has not figured in the plans of new coach Jacques Santini.

World Cup winner
Boghossian, who appeared as a substitute in the 1998 World Cup final win against Brazil, said: "I consider I have given the side all I can give. If I did not announce my retirement officially it's because at 32 it sounded logical to me. I'm wise enough to know that it's time to stop."

Summer switch
Boghossian joined Espanyol in the summer on a free transfer from Parma AC, where he won the UEFA Cup in 1999. He missed out on France's EURO 2000™ squad because of a knee injury.