Manchester City striker Nicolas Anelka has admitted that he would like to return to international football.
The 24-year-old siad last year that he would not play for France again after falling out with coach Jacques Santini. But now, he is looking for a possible return for EURO 2004.
“I want to be a French international again,’ Anelka told L’Equipe.
“When you get older, you change, and you grow up. I never closed the door to the French team.”
“I can understand that Santini was hurt by my comments,” added Anelka.
“Now the easiest would be to discuss with him and see how he sees things. If I have to tell him something I will do it face to face.”
French Football Federation president Claude Simonet has recently hinted that Anelka could be welcomed back to the team.
“I’m president of the federation and I delegate my powers to the coach so that he can do his job properly.
“If at a particular time it seems to Santini that Anelka is indispensible, that is a problem he will sort out with the player.”
Anelka made his last of his 28 appearances for France in April 2002 against Russia.
He angered Santini when he declined to play for the national team against Yugoslavia in November 2002 when called up to the squad as a replacement for Sidney Govou.
