Sad way to go: Fabio Capello called time on David Beckham's international career in a pre-recorded television interview.
England coach Fabio Capello hinted on Wednesday that David Beckham's international career could be over.
Beckham was unable to play in the World Cup due to an Achilles injury suffered while on loan at AC Milan in March, but the LA Galaxy midfielder had hoped to return to England duty when he was fully fit.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star went to the World Cup as part of Capello's backroom staff but the Italian, speaking ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Hungary at Wembley, made it clear there was little chance of a recall for the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
"I say thank you very much for helping me at the World Cup but probably he is a little bit old," Capello told ITV.
If Capello is true to his word, the 35-year-old former England captain will end his international career with 115 caps, the most number for any England outfield player but 10 short of Peter Shilton's overall national record.
英格兰国家足球队主帅法比奥•卡佩罗于本周三做出暗示，大卫•贝克汉姆的国际足球生涯可能即将结束。
今年3月，贝克汉姆作为租借球员在AC米兰队效力期间由于跟腱受伤，没能参加之后的世界杯。但这位洛杉矶银河队的中场球员一直希望在伤愈后能重返英格兰国家队。
尽管如此，这位曾在曼联和皇马俱乐部效力的球星仍出现在了南非世界杯，帮卡佩罗出谋划策，但意大利人卡佩罗于本周三在温布利球场举行的英格兰对阵匈牙利的友谊赛前则明确表示，在2012年欧洲杯预选赛中，他不会再召回小贝。
卡佩罗在接受英国独立电视台采访时说：“我非常感谢小贝在世界杯期间给予我的帮助，但可能他年龄有点大了。”
如果卡佩罗说到做到，那么这位35岁的前英格兰队队长的国际足球生涯恐将就此终结。小贝曾代表英格兰国家队出场115次，是英格兰队所有外场球员中出场次数最多的球员，比（门将）彼特•希尔顿少10次。
Achilles: 跟腱
backroom:（工作）秘密的，在幕后进行的
friendly: 友谊赛
cap: a selection for a representative team, usually for a national squad（入选国家队，代表国家队出场）
outfield player: 外场球员，也就是除守门员外的球员