Serbia and Montenegro striker Savo Milosevic has confirmed he is quitting international football.

Milosevic, speaking after a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Ivory Coast in a match between two Group C teams who had already been eliminated, said he would not play for the new Serbia team that will emerge from the ashes of Serbia and Montenegro when the country splits into two.

Milosevic said: "I am leaving the national team, that's for sure.

"I have one more year on my contract with Osasuna and then we will see what happens after that."

Another senior Serbo-Montenegrin to quit is Mladen Krstajic, who broke an arm in the game against the Ivory Coast.

Meanwhile Milosevic was able to shrug off his country's three World Cup defeats and claimed it had been a pleasure simply to play in what he considers to be a thrilling tournament.

Serbia and Montenegro had arrived at the tournament in high spirits after winning their qualifying group, in which they conceded only one goal.

However, the tournament proper proved a different matter with the Serbo-Montenegrins heading home with three defeats, including a 6-0 spanking from Argentina.

And after Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Ivory Coast, he said: "I think it was a really great game between two teams who just went out to try and win the match.

"There were plenty of mistakes made by either team and although we lost, the main thing was it was such a good game."

Milosevic was amazed that 66,000 fans watched a game that had nothing riding on it.

"The atmosphere was just fantastic," said the 32-year-old Osasuna striker. "The organisers have put on a very good World Cup.

"The game was not important but the crowd was so excited - it was a real pleasure to play in a game like this."

Serbia and Montenegro coach Ilija Petkovic also believes the 2006 World Cup is the best ever and put an equally brave face on what has been a disappointing campaign.

Petkovic said: "This World Cup has shown how football is getting better.

"This World Cup means progress for all the 32 teams and it shows that football can get better all the time.

"It means all the teams playing in it will improve - even those who have been eliminated as we have.

"Every team has its own final to play but unfortunately our final only turned out to be a little final.

"The Ivory Coast were outstanding and it's unfortunate that they too have to go home."

He staunchly defended his work in charge of the team, saying: "I am proud of my team for qualifying for the World Cup and for playing here and also for scoring two goals against the Ivory Coast.

"I am proud of everyone who has worked for me and the Federation bosses and the conditions are there for Serbia to progress. Time will prove me right."