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France's Blaise Matuidi puts international retirement on hold for Euro 2020 glory

Blaise Matuidi has said he considered quitting international football after France's World Cup win, but wants to bow out on a Euro 2020 victory.

Matuidi, 31, was a central figure as Les Bleus' became world champions in Russia last summer, and with coach Didier Deschamps having a wide range of other options in midfield, it seemed an opportune moment for the Juventus man to bow out.

Matuidi admitted the thought had crossed his mind, but that the prospect of bringing the curtain down on his international career as a world and European champion meant he has decided to continue.

"To be honest with you, I asked myself the question, it was the easy path to go out on a high, but I have other ambitions," Matuidi told RMC. "I feel the coach believes in me.

"When I no longer feel that, I'll stop. I'm certain that with this squad we can win Euro 2020. I want to finish on a high.

"There will no longer be a question [of retirement] in two years."