Barthez - remains philosophical in defeat (Allsport)

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France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has no intention of ending his international career just yet following their World Cup debacle in Japan and Korea.

The finals have been the international swansong for a host of coaches and players who have now decided to call it a day, including Henrik Larsson, Gabriel Batistuta and Barthez's Le Bleus team-mates Frank Leboeuf, Youri Djorkaeff and Christophe Dugarry.

But the Manchester United keeper has declined to join them.

"I am continuing," Barthez told L'Equipe.

France, the defending champions, were knocked out at the first round stage, finishing bottom of Group A after failing to score any goals in three games against Senegal, Denmark and Uruguay.

And Barthez is convinced that the only thing that can help soften the blow of losing their crown as world champions is to get back to winning ways on the pitch.

"Nothing can console me, nothing," he added, "in circumstances like these only a win can help me recover."

He added: "There was nothing we could do, in 1998, when we won the World Cup we had everything with us, whereas this time, luck was against us.

"We should not complain, nor cry because defeat is part of sport. And sport also means that we stand up again and bounce back.

"From 1996 to 2002 the French team won two major finals and played in the semi-finals of Euro 96.

"We have experienced and made people experience fantastic years. This World Cup in Japan and South Korea was simply not ours."