Hodgson rules out Beck's England return
Source: AFP |
February 2, 2013, Saturday
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DAVID Beckham's headline-grabbing move to Paris Saint-Germain is unlikely to revive the midfielder's international career, according to England manager Roy Hodgson.
The French club confirmed late on Thursday they'd signed former England captain Beckham, a free agent since leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy in November, on a five-month deal.
His return to European football led to speculation that Beckham could add to his tally of 115 caps, the record for an England outfield player. However, the 37-year-old Beckham has not played for England since 2009 and has never been selected by Hodgson.
And given Hodgson has effectively called time on the England career of defender Rio Ferdinand, three years younger than his former Manchester United teammate, Beckham's immediate prospects of further international football appear slim at best.
"When did he (Beckham) last play for the national team?" said Hodgson on Thursday after announcing his squad for next week's Wembley friendly against 2014 World Cup host Brazil.
"I don't think he has been plotting a return to the national team. I have spoken to him on a number of occasions. Maybe at some point he will pull me aside and tell me not to forget him even though he has not played for so long," Hodgson added.
"David made up his mind a while ago what he wanted to do with his life."
But the England boss wished Beckham well in his latest move. "David is a footballing icon, not only in this country but all over the world," Hodgson said. "He is one of the most recognizable footballers anywhere.
"We are perfectly aware of who he is, what he is and what he has done. All I can do is wish him all the best. Let's hope he can be as big a success at PSG as he has been everywhere else," added Hodgson.
Beckham said he will donate his PSG salary to a local children's charity. "That's one of the things that we're very excited about, to be able to give a huge sum to a children's charity in Paris. It's special," he said.
"I am 37 years old and I got offered a lot of offers, more offers now than I have probably had in my career," said the former England captain, who revealed he rejected bids from Premier League teams.
"I can still run around, I can still play as I did when I was 21 years old."
Where Beckham fits in at PSG is another question. Once he regains match fitness, he will likely have to settle for a bit-part role with the French league leader, which is close to becoming the modern-day "galacticos" with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva among the big names already at the club.
The French club confirmed late on Thursday they'd signed former England captain Beckham, a free agent since leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy in November, on a five-month deal.
His return to European football led to speculation that Beckham could add to his tally of 115 caps, the record for an England outfield player. However, the 37-year-old Beckham has not played for England since 2009 and has never been selected by Hodgson.
And given Hodgson has effectively called time on the England career of defender Rio Ferdinand, three years younger than his former Manchester United teammate, Beckham's immediate prospects of further international football appear slim at best.
"When did he (Beckham) last play for the national team?" said Hodgson on Thursday after announcing his squad for next week's Wembley friendly against 2014 World Cup host Brazil.
"I don't think he has been plotting a return to the national team. I have spoken to him on a number of occasions. Maybe at some point he will pull me aside and tell me not to forget him even though he has not played for so long," Hodgson added.
"David made up his mind a while ago what he wanted to do with his life."
But the England boss wished Beckham well in his latest move. "David is a footballing icon, not only in this country but all over the world," Hodgson said. "He is one of the most recognizable footballers anywhere.
"We are perfectly aware of who he is, what he is and what he has done. All I can do is wish him all the best. Let's hope he can be as big a success at PSG as he has been everywhere else," added Hodgson.
Beckham said he will donate his PSG salary to a local children's charity. "That's one of the things that we're very excited about, to be able to give a huge sum to a children's charity in Paris. It's special," he said.
"I am 37 years old and I got offered a lot of offers, more offers now than I have probably had in my career," said the former England captain, who revealed he rejected bids from Premier League teams.
"I can still run around, I can still play as I did when I was 21 years old."
Where Beckham fits in at PSG is another question. Once he regains match fitness, he will likely have to settle for a bit-part role with the French league leader, which is close to becoming the modern-day "galacticos" with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva among the big names already at the club.
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