The Olympic football team has to be made up of players aged 23 and younger, although managers are allowed to pick three older players as “wildcards.” It was thought that Beckham, 37, would be one of those players, because of his efforts to help London’s successful bid to host the games.

 

However Team GB coach Stuart Pearce chose Ryan Giggs, 38, Craig Bellamy, 33, and Micah Richards, 24, instead.

 

Speaking to ShortList, McCartney, who is performing at the opening ceremony, said: “I would've thought Beckham would be first choice because of his huge contribution to getting the Olympics. But some idiot decided otherwise. I feel a bit sorry for the three over-23s because we're going to be looking at them and saying, 'That should've been Beckham.'”

 

He went on to say that Beckham’s recent poor performance on the field shouldn’t matter, adding: “It would've been great for him to lead out our British football team. But some person somewhere said, 'So-and-so's playing better.' Like it matters.”

 

Beckham will still make a ‘cameo appearance’ at the opening ceremony, which takes place this Friday (27 July).