LISBON -- Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo is ready to quit the international game if he was blamed for his side's disastrous showing in the recent World Cup, he said on Friday.

"If public opinion thinks I am the culprit, I have no problem with resigning from the national team," Figo, who helped his country reach the Euro 2000 semifinals, told sports daily ****A Bola****.

"It is not (my intention), but if I should be pointed out as one of those mainly responsible for our lack of success, I don't know if there will be any alternative," added the FIFA Player of the Year.

With a squad comprising experienced players from Europe's top clubs, Portugal were tipped to go far in the World Cup and most pundits felt they were favored by being drawn in the group stage against lesser lights Poland, the United States and co-hosts South Korea, Reuters reported.

But in their opening game Portugal conceded three goals in the first 35 minutes to the United States and could only fight back to bring the final score to 3-2.

A change in tactics helped trigger a morale-boosting 4-0 win over Poland in the second game, which kept Portugal in with a chance of reaching the knockout stage.