People News

David Beckham left out of Great Britain's Olympic soccer squad

Jun 28, 2012, 15:02 GMT

David Beckham

David Beckham is 'very disappointed' to have been left out of Great Britain's soccer team for this summer's London Olympics.

The 37-year-old soccer star - who is an Olympic ambassador - is upset after Team GB coach Stuart Pearce opted to leave him out of his squad for the tournament, but the sportsman insists he will be the biggest supporter of the team when they take to the field.

David - who played 115 times for England - said in a statement: 'Everyone knows how much playing for my country has always meant to me. So I would have been honoured to have been part of this unique Team GB squad.

'Naturally I am very disappointed, but there will be no bigger supporter of the team than me. And like everyone, I will be hoping they can win the gold.'

David - who grew up in Essex and has previously lived in east London, where the Olympic Stadium is based - has drawn plaudits from London 2012 Olympic chairman Lord Sebastian Coe for his prominent role in helping the capital city win the right to stage the Games.

The Los Angeles Galaxy soccer player also flew to Greece in May to collect the Olympic Torch on behalf of Great Britain and bring it over to London, and while he is devastated at missing out on a place in the Team GB soccer squad, David insists he 'can't wait' for the iconic sporting event to begin.

He added: 'As a Londoner, I will have been really proud to have played a small part in bringing the Olympics to my home town as part of Seb's [Coe] team, and I can't wait for the Games to begin and enjoy every moment along with the rest of Great Britain.'