David Beckham’s international career appears to be over after England coach Fabio Capello said on Wednesday the former captain is too old to play for the national team — without notifying him first.
Capello said the 35-year-old midfielder will have the chance to play in a friendly “farewell game” but will not be part of England’s team in qualifying for the 2012 European Championship.
Beckham has played 115 times for England, second behind only goalkeeper Peter Shilton’s 125 from 1970-90.
Beckham has repeatedly said he has no plans of retiring from playing for England. He went to the World Cup in South Africa in June as a member of Capello’s off-field staff after being sidelined following an Achilles’ tendon surgery.
Appearing on ITV television in Britain, Capello was asked whether Beckham would be part of the England squad in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2012.
Capello laughed and said, “Thank you for helping me during the World Cup, but probably (he) is a little bit old.”
Later, after England’s 2-1 victory over Hungary in a friendly at Wembley, Capello said, “I hope he can play one more friendly game to say bye bye.”
“I won’t be picking him for any more competitive matches,” Capello added. “David is a fantastic player, he was really important, but we have to see the new players for the future because the age is important for a lot of people, not only for David.”
Capello spoke while Beckham was in the United States training with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
“Did I phone him before I went on television? No. I think I will speak with him. We tried to speak with him. But I think David knows he has no future with the international team because we have to change. We tried to speak with him.”
A spokesman for Beckham, who was training with the Los Angeles Galaxy, issued a statement saying “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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