Rio Ferdinand appears to have brought down the curtain on his England career.
The 33-year-old was left out of Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad yesterday, a decision which the new manager insisted was made purely for footballing reasons.
Given his age, long-standing back problems and the emergence of players such as Manchester United team-mates Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, who missed out on selection due to injury, there seems to be no way back for Ferdinand.
It is a realisation the defender seemed to admit on Twitter last night, as he spoke of his international career in the past tense.
"Absolutely loved playing for England," he said. "To say I am gutted is an understatement of the highest order."
Hodgson repeatedly insisted the decision had nothing to do with the potential for conflict between Ferdinand and John Terry, who has been selected.
Nor did he blame United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's observation last week that the £29.1million man was unable to play twice in four days due to his back complaint.
"Are we ever getting off Rio Ferdinand?" said Hodgson.
"There are 23 men in the squad and yet we're discussing one man until the cows come home."
