Djorkaeff (center) was a key member of the French national team that rolled to the 1998 World Cup title on its home turf. Ben Radford/ALLSPORT

SI.com: What are you favorite memories since you've been playing in America?

Djorkaeff: There are a lot. It's not like Europe, where the game is everything. That's why I think my favorite moment was the friendly here at Giants Stadium against Barcelona in August. There were 80,000 people. Maybe one day we won't have to play against Barça to draw this kind of crowd; I really feel that the entertainment value of soccer is growing in America.

SI.com: Do you feel like you're leaving this team in good hands?

Djorkaeff: Yeah. Every day I try to do my best in the hopes that these younger players remember me. I hope they'll do something in training and they'll say, "Ah yes, you remember when Youri did that?" I try to lead by example. I've tried to show these players this is a job, not a hobby. Every minute, every second, you have to live soccer, you have to eat and breathe soccer. This club has no choice but to become successful because it is New York. It has to be the No. 1 team in America.

SI.com: Do you feel like this league can survive and eventually become a world power?

Djorkaeff: Yes, but they need to invest. The kids need some big men from Europe. Everybody needs it -- the league, the TV networks, the media. You need to dream here. The kids need dreams. And not just dreams about Manchester United and Liverpool, but dreams of success at a high level here in America. For that, the league needs to increase the salary cap. But it's not just about money; it's about the level of competition.

SI.com: Have you recommended to any of your European colleagues to come and play here?

Djorkaeff: Yeah. A lot want to come here. You can't imagine. People prefer to come here in the later days of their career than to go to Qatar, Japan or wherever. They can get good educations for their kids and there is a great lifestyle here.

SI.com: This might be your final interview. Any names you want to drop? David Beckham? Luís Figo? Ronaldo?

Djorkaeff: [Laughs.] One of them. I know because we talk about it a lot. One is very interested, and I think it will happen.

SI.com: Let's talk about this past summer's World Cup. You took a personal leave of absence from the Red Bulls to be with your sick mother in France, but the TV cameras caught you in the stands in Germany.

Djorkaeff: For me it was not a big deal. To be honest, I don't care. People saw me on TV. It changed nothing. I've been in the spotlight all my life. The team was not upset with me when I explained what happened. They understood. Sometimes when a team isn't doing well, people look for someone to blame. Many people said, "Where is Youri?" I was in France, too. People saw me. End of story. If anything I think it's good publicity for the club.

SI.com: What have you and Zinédine Zidane talked about since the final? Have you discussed the infamous headbutt?

Djorkaeff: We talk. [Laughs.] We did not talk about this. We talked about the '98 World Cup, retirement -- the good times, and that's it.

SI.com: What are your thoughts on this current French team? Do they have the players to stay successful?

Djorkaeff: They look good and strong. The younger players are more experienced from the World Cup. It's still a great team even though Zidane is not here anymore. But Lilian Thuram, Claude Makélélé and Patrick Vieira are still there. They're getting older, but Euro '08 will be the transition to the next generation. Florent Malouda, Éric Abidal and Franck Ribéry all look very good and will continue.

SI.com: You're one of few to have played in France, Italy, Germany and England, and you're certainly the only one to have done all that and play in MLS. Where has been your favorite place to play?

Djorkaeff: Italy. The competition is amazing. You play one week against Milan, one week against Juventus, the next week against Lazio. And then after all that you have to go play for your national team. It's an amazing experience. But I like Serie A especially because you know that when you score one goal, you win the game. [Laughs.]

SI.com: Do you have any regrets during your career?

Djorkaeff: No, none. Over 22 years, I am sure I did everything I could do. For that I am very happy.