Football phenomenon David Beckham will no longer play for England's national team, his coach has announced, suggesting the 35-year-old superstar is too old to play.

David Beckham sits on the bench as England plays the U.S. during the 2010 World Cup at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa, on June 12. (Dylan Martinez/Reuters)

"Beckham was — and is — important for the international team, but I choose new players, young players, because the future is the young," Fabio Capello said Wednesday night after a match against Hungary.

Beckham missed the 2010 World Cup after tearing his Achilles tendon on March 14. His last appearance for England was as a substitute in a World Cup qualifying match against Belarus in October 2009, the BBC reported.

In a statement, Beckham's manager said the great midfielder was not retiring and remained willing to play for England.

On Wednesday, Beckham attended a practice session with Major League Soccer's L.A. Galaxy, performing light drills and stretching, according to the team's website.

It was the first practice session he's attended since injuring his tendon and was "the first step towards a full recovery," the website said. Beckham is expected to return to play Oct. 1.

In England, however, Beckham's career appears to be considered a thing of the past.

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday called Beckham "someone who has been an incredible role model in sport."

"I mean, we all remember some of those great free kicks, some of those great moments," Cameron said.

Capello said he hoped Beckham would play one more game with England "so the fans can say goodbye," according to the BBC.

With files from the CBC's James Fitz-Morris