Former England captain David Beckham has failed to make the British football team for the London Olympics.
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder was named in coach Stuart Pearce's squad of 35 but failed to make the cut for the final 18 mmn team as one of three over age players allowed to compete in the Olympic U23 competition.
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder had been widely expected to win selection as one of the three older players in the squad to end his lengthy international career on a high.
Beckham issued a statement saying he was very disappointed, but that he would be the biggest supporter of the team in London. The head of the London Olympics, Lord Sebastien Coe said Beckham would now be offered an official job as part of the London 2012 team.
Beckham's team mate and captain at LA Galaxy, Landon Donovan, said he sympathizes with his teammate.
He says, "Yeah, well, as a team it's good for us that he's here but more importantly than that, we know the guy as a person, a friend and as a teammate for a long time. We know it's devastating for him so I don't think we necessarily agree with the decision but sometimes life does that to you. He's a professional and I'm sure it'll be difficult for him but he knows life moves on."