Barthez will remain as one of the symbols for the home nation's success, not only because of his string of great saves throughout the campaign but also for the ritual good-luck kiss he received on his shaven head before kickoff from defender Laurent Blanc.
"We will miss him but in the mean time I am happy for him because he assuaged his passion," said former France captain Marcel Desailly.
Barthez received 17 of his caps during World Cup tournaments, a French record.
"He broke new ground thanks to his ability to play as an outfield player. Let's be positive: he ended his career with a World Cup final," Toulouse coach Elie Baup, who gave Barthez his professional debut in 1990, told French sports daily L'Equipe on Friday.
France went on to become European champions and although Barthez sailed through Euro 2000, his club career had been going through distinctly choppy waters.
A spat with coach Claude Puel in Monaco prompted him to leave for Manchester United.
Advertisement
