Beckham's Team GB exclusion surprises LA Galaxy team-mates

Jun 28, 2012 10:40:00 PM

Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane were among those who were left bemused by Stuart Pearce's decision not to call the 37-year-old up for the London Olympics

David Beckham's LA Galaxy team-mates have expressed their surprise after it was revealed the midfielder will not be part of the Team GB squad at the London Olympics.

The former Manchester United man had been part of the original 35-man shortlist, but has confirmed he will not be part of the 18-man squad, admitting he is "disappointed" to have been left out.

His LA Galaxy team-mates have sympathised with the midfielder, saying they are unsure why he has been omitted.

"We're disappointed for David," Landon Donovan said.

"You look at it in a bigger context, the opportunity to play an Olympics in your home country is really special. To have that taken from you is devastating, especially for a guy who has done so much for the sport in that country. It doesn't really make sense."

Robbie Keane, who only recently returned from captaining the Republic of Ireland at Euro 2012, said the decision caught all of Great Britain by surprise.

"The whole country was probably thinking that it was 100 per cent that he was going to be picked," Keane said. "Everyone is shocked."

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However, the decision to snub Beckham was not down to fitness, according to LA coach Bruce Arena.

"David's physically fine and he's just getting better," the former US national team boss said.

"Over the last two months he's really started to come into form. There's absolutely nothing wrong with him."

Beckham is joint-third in MLS with five assists. Recently he helped turn around a disastrous start to the season, which saw the Galaxy last in the Western Conference, to motor into a play-off position.

"It'd be easier to understand if he wasn't playing well, but I think any body who's seen him play would say he deserves to be on the team," Donovan said.

Additional reporting contributed by Alex Labidou in Miami.

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