Hoddle: Becks can be England star until he's 39

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle insists United States-bound David Beckham is capable of playing for up to six more years at the highest level after his successful return to Steve McClaren's England squad.

Hoddle, who gave Beckham his England debut in the 1996 victory over Moldova, believes his imminent move to Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy - he has signed a five-year £125million deal - should not necessarily detract from his international chances.

And he hailed McClaren for having the courage to recall Beckham for Friday night's 1-1 friendly draw with Brazil for the logical reason that there is no better English right-sided midfielder at the moment.

Hoddle told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek: 'In my day when you hit the 30 mark people started saying your international career may be over but the way they train now their fitness levels are so much better.

'David is a fit young man and one thing he has never relied upon is blistering pace, so he will be able to play until he is 38 or 39 if he wants to.

'I see no reason why he can't keep playing for a long time.'

The 32-year-old Beckham's next task will be to help England edge themselves back into the Euro 2008 qualifying reckoning by winning in Estonia on Wednesday - and Hoddle admits that is a must-win game for McClaren.

Hoddle added: 'This is a real key game for us because we if we win we will have the momentum going into four games at home. If we draw it is going to be very difficult for us because the pressure will build.'

Beckham will join Galaxy in the middle of July - his Real Madrid contract ends on June 30.

You bet he is

I totally agree with Hoddle though. Much like how Man Utd simply can't do without Fergie, the world of football simply cannot do without Becks.

AARRRGGHHH!!!

Sigh...never mind.

If serious injury can be avoided, most players can play until their late 30s.

Stanley Matthews played till his 40 years and he is the best english player ever

Stanley matthews retired when he was 50

LOL what are you suggesting, that Becks will beat Sir Matthews' records, get knighted, and become the best English player ever

IMO Sir Geoff Hurst is the best English player ever as he won us our only world cup

His hairline is already recieding, I don't think he needs to hang around that long.

In the MLS he could probably keep playing till he's 40, if the hollywood parties don't wear him down to much

Guess you missed the Brazil game

Stanley Matthews is a good shout, Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore too...but Geoff Hurst I suppose he is closely followed by the vastly underrated Shearer and then Ian Wright hey puddsy...

Magix, I hope Ajax win the CL just to see what you are like when you are happy. Cheer up fella!

Bearing in mind he is 36 years old, he said this today:


Right, Becks, people have been saying you are too old since you were 21 years old. Fucking bright spark.

Impressive necro post Jay, I still hope Ajax win the CL to spite Magix.

If all he does is to deliver those deadballs he could probably play until he is 50.

But the thing is, he seems to have gotten possessed by some evil tattoo spirit, his entire body is pretty much covered with tats these days, and I am not a big fan of that I have to admit.