Zidane announced retirement early to help Real make plans

MADRID, Apr 26 (Reuters) Real Madrid's France midfielder Zinedine Zidane says he chose to announce his retirement yesterday to give the club time to prepare for next season.

''The club need to build a team so that they can win again,'' Zidane told Real Madrid television today.

''By announcing my retirement now it gives them the chance to go and look for new players before the World Cup, if that is what they want to do.

''They have always been good to me so it is the least I could do for them.'' The 33-year-old yesterday said he would retire after leading France in the World Cup in Germany, despite having a year left to run on his contract with Real.

REUTERS PM PM1612