EXCLUSIVE: Dennis Bergkamp will retire from Holland international duty after Euro 2000.

The 31-year-old Arsenal striker believes the stresses and strains of combining club and international football will prevent him taking part in the next World Cup qualifying campaign.

Bergkamp said: 'It burns you out physically and mentally. I love to play and I love to entertain the fans with my football, but if I am not fresh it is impossible to do that.

'With the next major tournament, the World Cup, in South Korea and Japan, I won't take part in that anyway. I won't fly there so it's probably better not to take part in the qualifying matches either.

'I want to concentrate on my job at Arsenal. I really want to be successful with my club in the Champions League. That's why I prefer to put all my energy into the club rather than travelling all year with Holland.'

Bergkamp's decision to quit at the top bears comparison with Alan Shearer's announcement that this summer's showpiece will mark his England swansong. Both strikers want to finish with a flamboyant flourish.

Bergkamp confirmed: 'It is probably my last chance to win a major trophy with Holland. We have a great team, players who are more mature now and representing all the top clubs in Europe.

'The potential is there, we have failed a couple of times, but now it has to happen. We have to win it.'

Bergkamp still has nightmares about the previous European Championship.

He explained: 'Euro 96 was the lowest point in my career at international level. I was so disappointed with our team.

'I had been playing for one season in England. Even the English fans expected a lot from Holland. But in the end we ruined our own chances because of all the troubles in the camp. I never want to go through that again.

'Fortunately we have a coach, Frank Rijkaard, who has everything under control. He is so cool, it is unbelievable. Rijkaard does not treat us like little kids. He gives a lot of responsibility to the players. That's what this team needs.

'He doesn't have to tell us what to do. All the players respect him and know that he can give us the right boost for this tournament.'