(REUTERS) – England manager Fabio Capello has effectively signalled the end of former captain David Beckham’s international career. Ahead of last night’s 2-1 friendly win over Hungary at Wembley, Capello told ITV Sport the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder was “probably a bit too old” to play for England again.
“Thank you, David,” added Capello who used the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player as part of his backroom staff at the recent World Cup in South Africa.
The 35-year-old Beckham, England’s most capped outfield player (115) and second most capped behind goalkeeper Peter Shilton, made his debut against Moldova in September 1996.
His final international appearance was against Belarus at Wembley last October. He scored 17 goals for England.
Beckham, who missed the World Cup campaign in South Africa through injury, has not played since rupturing his Achilles tendon while on loan at Milan in March.
He has always been adamant he would never quit international football and, shortly before Capello spoke to ITV Sport, Beckham repeated his stance in Los Angeles yesterday.
“I’ve always said I won’t retire from playing for my country,” said the veteran midfielder. “If I never get picked again or whether I get picked again for one more game or 10 more games I’ll be available.
“There are a lot of good young players coming through for England but I’m available.”
Speaking to reporters in Los Angeles after a training session, Beckham said he had set himself a mid-September return from injury.
“The doctor said October 1 but I hope it can be a few weeks before that,” he said. “I’ll know personally when I’m right.
“It’s made me miss it like I missed soccer when I was 20 years old and I couldn’t wait to get back to training. It’s made me realise how much I love the game again and how much I missed playing,” added Beckham.
“Obviously I still love the game or I wouldn’t be doing it at my age as much as I am, and as passionately as I do. But I suppose it surprised me a little bit because some people say at my age you kind of start not loving football as much as you did when you were 21.
“But I still do.”
Major League Soccer leaders Los Angeles play the New York Red Bulls, who have new recruits Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez in their squad, in New Jersey on Saturday.