Vieira 'disappointed' at France snub

Veteran Patrick Vieira said that he had been massively disappointed when France coach Raymond Domenech snubbed him for upcoming crucial World Cup qualifiers against Romania and Serbia.

The Inter midfielder, who was part of France's World Cup-winning squad in 1998, has not played in the French national side since a poor showing in a June friendly with Nigeria which brought the 33-year-old a 107th cap.

"Yes, it was a massive disappointment because it's true that physically and mentally I had prepared myself for these two matches," Vieira said.

"It's been a disappointment but one that can be understood: compared to some players, I am perhaps less in form.

"I thought that with my experience I would have been part of this squad for these two matches, I felt as if I could have been able to bring something. But unfortunately the coach thought I wasn't suitable for the two games."

Vieira said there had been "no call, no explanation. I received a missed call but unfortunately I was at training".

Vieira insisted, however, that playing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa remained a goal.

"My objective really is the World Cup," he said.

"These are two important matches, a stage we have to get over and I'm convinced that the squad will succeed without me, but my goal remains the World Cup."

Vieira added that calling a halt to his illustrious career at season's end was a "possibility".

"It's something I'm thinking about. What's certain in football is that you never know what's going to happen.

"But what I want to do today is to stop at the end of the season and go and try a new experience: why not the United States?

"I also think that I maybe no longer want to play at the highest level. What interests me could really be a life experience, and to go and discover football in the United States - if I was to continue playing."