David Beckham insists he has no intention of retiring from
international football despite Fabio Capello's assertion that the
midfielder's England career is over.
The Italian believes that at 35 Beckham is 'too old' to resume
his England career during the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Capello made the pronouncement in a TV interview before
England's 2-1 win against Hungary on Wednesday night - without even
speaking to the veteran. But the former Manchester United does not
appear ready to go quietly without a fight.
Bad news: Beckham returns to LA Galaxy training on
Wednesday
'I've always said that I won't retire from playing from my
country, whether I never get picked again, play one more game or 10
more games,' said Beckham yesterday, just hours before Capello
delivered his verdict on the 115-cap hero.
Back in action: Beckham is recovering well from his
achilles injury
Speaking at the Home Depot Center, the home of the Los Angeles
Galaxy, Beckham tellingly added: 'Some people say at my age, you
kind of start not loving football as much as when you were 21, but
I still do.'
As if to prove his youthfulness, Beckham's recovering from the
devastating achilles injury he suffered in March is ahead of
schedule.
Nonetheless, Capello delivered the cruellest of public snubs to
the complete bewilderment of the global icon.
‘We have to look for new players, young players,’ said Capello
to reiterate comments made in a pre-match TV interview before
back-tracking to invite Beckham, 35, to win his 116th cap later in
the season.
‘I hope, when David is OK, he can play here in a friendly at
Wembley to say bye-bye and thank you very much. I won’t pick him
for any more competitive games. I change it. We need players for
the future.
‘I think David knows he has no future with the national team
because we have to change. I have to look for new players. I have
to think about the future.’
No future: Capello called time on Beckham's
international career
Beckham’s spokesman confirmed there had been no talks about
retiring, adding: ‘He will always be available for his country,
when fit and if needed he’ll be there.’
Steven Gerrard, England's captain for the night on Wednesday,
paid tribute to Beckham’s 14-year international career. ‘He has
legendary status,’ he said. ‘If he’s played his last game, he’ll be
missed because, on and off the pitch, he’s a great guy.
‘But you never know with David. If he hears that news, it’ll
drive him on and he’ll try to prove people wrong. He loves playing
for England.’
Hero: Gerrard (No 4) scores his second against
Hungary
Beckham joined in light training with his Galaxy team-mates and
is scheduled to travel to New York for Saturday's game against the
Red Bulls.
His passion to play again as soon as possible has been tempered
by the reality of his injury. Beckham said: 'Doctors have
told me not to rush coming back because if I re-tear it, I won't
play again. That kind of stuck in my mind.'
End of the world: Beckham
missed South Africa 2010 after rupturing an achilles
Yet Beckham's team-mates were astonished by his condition.
Midfielder Chris Klein said: 'I was expecting him to be kind of
walking around and being a mascot out here.
'But to see him moving around and kicking the ball that he did
and running the way that he is, it's remarkable.'
Defender Todd Dunivant added: 'You don't want to count David
out. Anyone that has done that during his career, he has proven
them wrong.'