Paris, Oct 21 (IANS): Former French international striker Djibril Cisse has announced his retirement from football.

"You have to listen to your body - it is finished, yes. I can no longer play football at a high level," Efe quoted the 34-year-old as saying on Tuesday.

Cisse added that he is undergoing a hip replacement operation in January.

The announcement comes days after the former Liverpool and Lazio player was arrested and then released as part of an investigation into the blackmail of Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Mathieu Valbuena over a sex video.

He told "D8" channel that this was very bad for him and for Valbuena and that the police came looking for him to hear his side of the story, stressing that he has never blackmailed anyone and that Mathieu is his friend.

Cisse has played in the ranks of many clubs, including Lazio and Olympique de Marseille, and has won numerous tournaments, including the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005. He has also played 41 matches with the French national team.