David Beckham, arriving at Heathrow today, has turned down a host of TV offers to be a World Cup punditHis Achilles injury may have scuppered his chances of playing in the World Cup, but David Beckham still looks set to play a role at the tournament.
Today it emerged that he had turned down a host of lucrative deals to work as a TV pundit because he hopes to perform a job for England coach Fabio Capello.
The 35-year-old sportsman, who was today pictured arriving at Heathrow Airport from his Los Angeles base, had been flooded with offers from the BBC, ITV, ESPN and TV stations from South America, South Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
But it seems Becks has decided to put his country before his bank balance, freeing himself up to do what's needed in the England camp.
His exact duties will depend on the discussions he has with England manager Fabio Capello - but the veteran former captain with more than 100 caps to his name is popular among the squad and could provide an A-list morale boost.
Capello has already said he believes Beckham can be 'an important man in the dressing room' despite his injury.
Becks is already involved in England's bid to host the World Cup in 2018.
His arrival into the UK today comes ahead of his trip to Zurich in Switzerland on Friday where he will hand over the candidate file to FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
Princes William and Harry have also agreed to woo FIFA executive committee members as part of the bid.
The brothers will host a reception for FIFA members during the tournament in Johannesburg after watching England play Algeria in Cape Town on June 18.
England 2018 have compiled a 1,752-page document, weighing 8.5kg, which details the vision and technical aspects of the bid, from stadia and training bases to fan parks and security.
Beckham will be accompanied by the chairman of the Football Association, David Triesman, and England 2018 chief executive Andy Anson, plus two others yet to be confirmed.
Triesman said Beckham's presence will be extremely valuable, saying: 'He's perhaps the most iconic footballer in the world.
A ride in Beverly Hills: The footballer pictured on Sunday with wife Victoria'He's one of the few people that, if he suddenly appeared in any village in the world, everyone would know who he was.
'It's right that it should be presented by a footballer because the World Cup is a football festival.'
Meanwhile it has emerged that Beckham is to be honoured during the World Cup finals - with a new Pot Noodle flavour.
Disaster: Beckham ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for AC Milan in March, putting paid to plans of playing in the World CupSnack bosses claim he is a fan of the food and have created the Golden (Meat)Balls variety to lift his spirits after he missed out on the tournament with an injury.
Last year the firm devoted a new flavour to another noodle fan, Hollywood actress Kate Beckinsale, when they created their Steak and BeckinsALE range.
Beckham - who is nicknamed Goldenballs - ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for AC Milan in March.
source :dailymail
