Migliaccio was speaking amid reports that the 32-year-old Real Madrid star was set to return to international duty to help France qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals.

"When he (Zidane) makes a decision he sticks to it," Migliaccio told AFP. "For me it's a great April's Fool joke."

Les Bleus, the 1998 World and Euro 2000 champions, are going through difficult times after drawing four of their opening six qualifiers, including a 1-1 draw against Israel in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

Having won their other two games, France top the group 4 rankings on equal points with Israel, but Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland are in hot pursuit a point behind, with Cyprus and the Faroe Islands completing the group.

France coach Raymond Domenech fuelled speculation of an imminent return when he stated Friday that "the door was open" for Zidane.

"No team can overlook players of talent and everyone wants to have Zidane in his team," said Domenech. "Zizou is still one of the top players in the world and if he said that he was ready to play again I'd welcome him and be delighted to call him into the team."

Zidane, FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000 and 2003, retired from international football after Euro 2004. He won 93 caps for France and his two headed goals in the final against Brazil secured the 1998 World Cup.

He became the world's most expensive player in 2001 when he moved from Juventus to Real Madrid for 63.6 million dollars.

Zidane has picked up three Italian and Spanish league winners medals, as well as winning the Champions League in 2002 with Real.