GENVAL, Belgium, June 30 (Reuters) - Fabien Barthez cannot accept the fact that Laurent Blanc might be kissing his shaven head for the last time when France take on Italy in Sunday's Euro 2000 final.

The gesture, which always take place before kickoff, has become something of a talisman for the French side since the 1998 World Cup campaign and the new Manchester United goalkeeper wishes the central defender could do it many times more.

But the 34-year-old Blanc has strongly indicated he will retire from international soccer after the tournament and Sunday's game would be his final appearance in France colours.

'It can't be his last match,' said Barthez. 'When you see him play, he looks like a 20-year-old. I want him to stay and I told him that.'

In over a decade, Blanc has never played in the final of a major competition. He thought he would two years ago but he was sent off in the semifinal and had to sit and watch Frank Leboeuf fill his role as France crushed Brazil 3-0 to lift the World Cup.

Blanc had been instrumental in France's run to the final, scoring the golden goal against Paraguay which sent them into the last eight.

But Croatia's Slavan Bilic later sealed his fate, holding his head in his hands and falling onto the pitch as if he had been floored by Mike Tyson. Blanc had hardly touched him but still got a red card and the fact that Bilic later admitted he had simulated did not help.

Blanc was so upset that he considered quitting the international scebe, but Roger Lemerre, who took over from Aime Jacquet as head coach after the World Cup, persuaded him to carry on.

'I think it was in June or July 1999 when he came to me and we talked,' said Lemerre. 'It was a very open conversation and the result was he decided to stay.'

Lemerre was delighted and would not mind if the Inter Milan player carried on after Euro 2000.

'He looks so fresh that he certainly could continue with us but the decision belongs to him,' the coach said.

A reassuring presence in France's central defence since his first match in a goalless draw with Ireland in 1989, Blanc has travelled a lot throughout his long career, playing for five French clubs and three foreign ones - Naples, Barcelona and now Inter.

He struggled to adapt at both Naples and Barcelona and his collection of silverware is not that impressive. But for France, he always gave his all, earning a reputation not only for marshalling the defence with authority but also for scoring important goals.

The second most-capped French player of all time with 94 - six less than captain Didier Deschamps - he is also the third most prolific scorer in the current team with 16 goals. Only Youri Djorkaeff and Zinedine Zidane have more.

'You've just got to look at him to see that the guy's got class,' said Barthez. 'Having him in front of you when you're a goalkeeper is just great.'

One of the side's natural leaders on the pitch, Blanc is also valuable off it, regarded by his younger team mates as the wise man in the squad.

'Laurent is very good at analysing a situation and his unique experience is very important to the rest of the group,' Lemerre said.

Barthez is resigned to accepting whatever Blanc might decide.

'He's got a family and he's got nothing left to prove,' Barthez said. 'I would understand.

'But really, I don't think it will be the last kiss.'