Question:
David Beckham was left out of new England coach Steve McClaren's first England squad on Friday, raising speculation that his international career could be over. Beckham, who quit as captain after England's quarter-final exit from the FIFA World Cup in July, did not feature in McClaren's list of 25 for next Wednesday's home friendly against Greece.
Beckham, capped 94 times, limped off with an Achilles tendon injury during England's defeat by Portugal on 1 July and announced that he was standing down as captain after six years the following day.
He has since returned to action for his club Real Madrid, playing 45 minutes of their pre-season match against D.C. United in Washington on Wednesday.
The former Manchester United midfielder, who made his England debut in 1996 and has won 94 caps, 59 of them as captain, became the first England player to score in three FIFA World Cups when he netted the winner against Ecuador in June.
Despite standing down as captain, Beckham had insisted that he still wanted to be part of McClaren's plans.
Tottenham Hotspur's Aaron Lennon, who is in the squad, is widely tipped to replace him on the right side of midfield as is Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips, back in favour after not being picked for the FIFA World Cup by Eriksson.
"I spoke with David last Monday and notified him of my decision," McClaren told a news conference.
"I told him I was planning for the future, looking to change things and go in a different direction, and David wasn't included within that.
"I have great respect for David, he has been a fantastic captain for England, a great player and still is a great player.
"He took it well although he was disappointed, but I got the reaction that I wanted which is that he will continue to fight for his place and I will never close the door on that."
The leader of England's so-called golden generation, Beckham's hopes of emulating the late Bobby Moore by captaining his country to a first major trophy since 1966 have always ended in frustration and despair.
Beckham's highlights in an England shirt include his fantastic last-minute free kick against Greece in 2001, which rescued a 2-2 draw and a place in the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, and his penalty winner against Argentina in Japan.
There have been some lows, however, most notably his red card against Argentina at France 98 for a kick at Diego Simeone, an act that led to vilification at home.
Beckham needs six more caps to join four other players who have accumulated a century of England appearances, the others being Peter Shilton (125), Bobby Moore (108), Bobby Charlton (106) and Billy Wright (105).
On Thursday, Chelsea defender John Terry was named as Beckham's successor as captain by McClaren.-
REUTERS

Answer:

David Beckham was left out of new England coach Steve McClaren's first England squad on Friday, raising speculation that his international career could be over. Beckham, who quit as captain after England's quarter-final exit from the FIFA World Cup in July, did not feature in McClaren's list of 25 for next Wednesday's home friendly against Greece.
Beckham, capped 94 times, limped off with an Achilles tendon injury during England's defeat by Portugal on 1 July and announced that he was standing down as captain after six years the following day.
He has since returned to action for his club Real Madrid, playing 45 minutes of their pre-season match against D.C. United in Washington on Wednesday.
The former Manchester United midfielder, who made his England debut in 1996 and has won 94 caps, 59 of them as captain, became the first England player to score in three FIFA World Cups when he netted the winner against Ecuador in June.
Despite standing down as captain, Beckham had insisted that he still wanted to be part of McClaren's plans.
Tottenham Hotspur's Aaron Lennon, who is in the squad, is widely tipped to replace him on the right side of midfield as is Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips, back in favour after not being picked for the FIFA World Cup by Eriksson.
"I spoke with David last Monday and notified him of my decision," McClaren told a news conference.
"I told him I was planning for the future, looking to change things and go in a different direction, and David wasn't included within that.
"I have great respect for David, he has been a fantastic captain for England, a great player and still is a great player.
"He took it well although he was disappointed, but I got the reaction that I wanted which is that he will continue to fight for his place and I will never close the door on that."
The leader of England's so-called golden generation, Beckham's hopes of emulating the late Bobby Moore by captaining his country to a first major trophy since 1966 have always ended in frustration and despair.
Beckham's highlights in an England shirt include his fantastic last-minute free kick against Greece in 2001, which rescued a 2-2 draw and a place in the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, and his penalty winner against Argentina in Japan.
There have been some lows, however, most notably his red card against Argentina at France 98 for a kick at Diego Simeone, an act that led to vilification at home.
Beckham needs six more caps to join four other players who have accumulated a century of England appearances, the others being Peter Shilton (125), Bobby Moore (108), Bobby Charlton (106) and Billy Wright (105).
On Thursday, Chelsea defender John Terry was named as Beckham's successor as captain by McClaren.-
REUTERS