Patrick Vieira doubtful about international future

PARIS — France captain Patrick Vieira fears persistent injuries could force him to end his international football career.

The Inter Milan midfielder did not play at the 2008 European Championship because of a thigh tear, and also missed France's first three 2010 World Cup qualifiers as he battled back from a series of thigh and calf injuries.

"If my injuries do continue then I will have to make a decision ... most probably to give up the French team," Vieira said in Thursday's edition of sports daily L'Equipe.

In October, the 32-year-old Vieira strained a calf muscle warming up before France's World Cup qualifier against Romania, and had to pull out moments before the match started.

"I can't see myself playing five or six matches (for Inter), coming back to the national team and then stopping again for two or three months with injury," he added.

Vieira has made 106 appearances for France and was an integral part of the team that reached the 2006 World Cup final, which it lost to Italy on penalty kicks.

He won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France, but has played only six national team games over the past two years — depriving coach Raymond Domenech of his most experienced midfielder.

Vieira hopes to return for Inter by the end of January. France will play a friendly against Argentina on Feb. 11 before resuming its World Cup qualification campaign against Lithuania in March.