David Beckham’s international career may be over
David Beckham’s England career could be at an end after national team coach said the midfielder was “a little bit old” to still feature for his country.
Beckham – who has received 115 caps, a record for any England outfield player – is now 35 years old and was not able to play at the 2010 FIFA World Cup after injuring his Achilles tendon. The blow came to the former England captain when playing for AC Milan on loan from his club Los Angeles Galaxy. However, he still made it to South Africa as he joined the squad in a coaching/mentor role but could not help England to glory as they crashed out of the competition at the last 16 stage.
However, his hopes of featuring again for England look to have been dashed by the manager. After today’s 2-1 friendly victory over Hungary, Capello told reporters that: "I thank (David) very much for helping me at the World Cup but probably he is a little bit old."
'Young players are the future'
Asked by BBC Radio 5 Live if Beckham would feature again for England, the Italian coach said that: "No. We have to change something. We have to choose new players, young players. This evening I saw four young players who are the future of the England team, under Fabio Capello or whoever. I hope maybe we could play one game at Wembley for David Beckham . . . to say . . . goodbye."
The player featured 16 times under Capello before suffering his injury. Beckham’s agent later issued a statement to the BBC which re-affirmed the player’s wish to continue playing for England after he has worked his way back to fitness. The statement said that: “There has been no discussion of retirement. He will always be available for his country, when fit and if needed he will be there."
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