Sports Realm

In a dark day for English football, one of the sports greatest legends was casually dismissed and humiliated in a passing comment by his national manager. While talking to journalists before a friendly match against Hungary, the Italian, who is already not on good terms with his host nation, was asked about David Beckham’s future in the squad.

In one flippant comment Capello signalled an end to a sporting legend’s international career “Thank you for helping me during the World Cup, but probably (Beckham is) a little bit old,” He said.

David Beckham’s career took an upsetting turn earlier in the year when an untimely ankle injury caused him to miss out on what was widely considered his last shot at world cup glory. He got involved as a ’special advisor’ to the manager and took an active inspirational role in the coaching of the team.

The most upsetting part for Beckham was that Capello did not even have the courtesy to notify him before making his decision public. One of the countries most respected players woke up to newspapers announcing the end of his career, a fate not undeserved of someone who has given so much to the sport.

One of Beckham’s spokespersons confirmed that there had been no talk of retirement and that “he will always be available for his country, when fit, and if needed he will be there.”

Capello did claim he had tried to contact Beckham but failed and further commented “I think, I hope, that when David is OK he can play here in a friendly at Wembley to say ‘Goodbye’ and ‘Thank you very much’,” he said said. “I won’t pick him for any more competitive games.”

There has been increasing pressure on the England manager after barely scraping the team through the qualifying stages of the world cup and leaving on an all time low in the least successful World Cup campaign ever.

Current England captain Steven Gerrard has also fought to not leave Beckham behind in the halls of fame “I’m sure that if he hears that news, it’ll drive him on and he’ll try to prove people wrong and try to get back in the set-up because I know he loves playing for England.” Gerrard said.

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