Fabio Capello tonight called time on David Beckham's international career. The 35-year-old missed the World Cup through injury but ended up becoming a member of the manager's back-up team in South Africa because of the influence he has over many of the established players.

However, even when he recovers from his achilles injury, it seems the LA Galaxy forward will not be required for England's attempt to qualify for Euro 2012. "I say thank you very much for helping me at the World Cup but probably he is a little bit old," Capello told ITV ahead of tonight's friendly with Hungary.

Beckham made his first appearance for the national team on 1 September 1996, in a World Cup qualifier against Moldova. He made 115 appearances for the side, scoring 17 goals.

It is a low-key end to a high-profile career, although the manner of the announcement is in keeping with Capello's management style. Beckham is now likely to end his international career with the most caps for an outfield player but has fallen 10 short of Peter Shilton's overall record.

Beckham's injury ended his hopes of becoming the first Englishman to appear in four World Cup tournaments. However, he did make his mark over three World Cup appearances, getting sent off for a kick at Diego Simeone during the 1998 last-16 tie with Argentina.

Although vilified for that action on his return to England, Beckham recovered and went on to captain his country, first under temporary manager Peter Taylor then Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Beckham captained his country in three tournaments – the World Cups of 2002 and 2006, and at Euro 2004. Yet England failed to progress further than the quarter-finals in all of them, and he quit the role in June 2006.

Arguably the most famous moment of Beckham's England career did not come at a major tournament at all, but in the 2002 qualifier against Greece at Old Trafford. Trailing and heading for the play-offs as the match entered added time, England were awarded a free-kick which Beckham curled into the net to send his country to the World Cup.

Although Beckham indicated after 2006 he was willing to carry on as a player despite handing back the captain's armband, he was initially overlooked by Capello's predecessor Steve McClaren. However, almost a year into his reign, with results going against his team, McClaren recalled the Leytonstone-born player but Beckham was unable to guide England into the following year's European Championships.

McClaren's replacement, Capello, kept faith with the midfielder. Even though he was often restricted to late substitute appearances, he played some part in 16 of the 21 internationals Capello was in charge for before Beckham suffered the injury that ended his World Cup dream while on Milan duty against Chievo Verona.

His influence was so great he still made the trip to South Africa, even if few outside the England camp were sure exactly what his input was, other than offer a few choice words at half-time to the Uruguayan officials who missed Frank Lampard's shot bouncing over the goalline in Bloemfontein.