Manchester City striker Nicolas Anelka has insisted he will not play for France again.
The decision comes in the wake of his refusal to honour a call-up for France's friendly with Yugoslavia in November.
The 23-year-old was called up on November 17th to replace Lyon striker Sidney Govou, who had a thigh injury.
But Anelka, who had not played with the national side since April 2002, made clear he was fed up with what he claims to be hypocrisy and not having a regular first-team berth.
"For me the French team belongs to the past," Anelka said. "I was relieved to say it in November and that's over. I missed out on the World Cup twice and it did not kill me".
He also insists his decision was made long before coach Jacques Santini called him up for the game with Yugoslavia, now renamed Serbia & Montenegro.
"I have absolutely nothing against the French team, neither the players who are my friends for the most part, but I just could not stand how things were.
"I was logical with myself. I don't say that I am the best player in the world but what I don't like is that things were never clear. Either I am called up and that's sincere, or it's a definite no and that's clear.
"There was a huge ambiguity, like often with me anyway. I felt here was an embarrassment, a strange feeling, a sort of hypocrisy," he said.
PA