The World Cup is just around the corner and I’m in a state of excitement so great that I might combust at any moment due to the unbearable anticipation.
Imagine then what the players who were lucky enough to be selected in Fabio Cappello’s preliminary 30 man squad must be feeling like, especially Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher who has made a return to international football after a self imposed exile.
I wonder how he feels about representing his country on the grandest and most prestigious platform available to any footballer?
“Representing your country is the ultimate honour, especially in the World Cup. Not to me” he wrote in his 2008 autobiography.
This kind of brazen honesty could be seen as refreshing by some considering the usual rehearsed lines about pulling on an England shirt being the proudest day of a footballer’s life etc, but to quote the man himself – “not me.”
If the man has no interest in playing for England then that is perfectly acceptable, but in the light of the comments he made about playing for his country in his autobiography, why should any fan want to see him dressed in the three lions?
If the little snippet above seems a little light to base an attack on his decision to once again accept the international paycheck, after badmouthing this particular extra curricular activity just a few years ago, then he is more than willing to elaborate on his feelings.
“I confess: defeats wearing an England shirt never hurt me in the same way as losing with my club. I wasn’t uncaring or indifferent, I simply didn’t put England’s fortunes at the top of my priority list. Losing felt like a disappointment rather than a calamity.”
“The Liver Bird mauled the Three Lions in the fight for my loyalties. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong, it’s just how it is. You can’t make yourself feel more passionate if the feelings aren’t there. That doesn’t make me feel guilty.”
He continues “We all hear about the importance of 1966 to the country, but for my family the most important event at Wembley that year was Everton winning the FA Cup. Liverpudlians feel the same way about the season as Bill Shankly won his second league title at Anfield.”
“Our nation is divided, not only in terms of prosperity, but by different regional outlooks. For some of us, civic pride overpowers nationality.”
“When Diego Maradona knocked England out of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, 10 minutes later I was outside playing with my mates copying the handball goal.”
“If it had been Everton losing an FA Cup quarter-final, I wouldn’t have wanted to speak to anyone for the rest of the day.”
Clearly Carragher’s loyalties are divided as he is more focused on the football being played in Liverpool, instead of internationally, which is fair enough.
However, after Liverpool’s dismal season, Carragher has decided he’s going to lower himself to international football, as Champions League football isn’t available at Anfield next season.
“The FA got in touch a few weeks ago and asked if I would have a rethink, due to injury problems,” the 32-year-old said to the BBC “I said I would make myself available”
“The World Cup and Champions League are the highest levels of football. I’m not getting any younger, we have no Champions League football (at Liverpool) next season and I am keen to work under Fabio Capello.”
What a hero! Even after admitting that his passion for international football is second to that of domestic football for Liverpool, he is willing to put this to one side.
Although, if he’s only come out of international retirement purely for the pursuit of success, even if it’s for a team that he holds a diminished responsibility and respect for, doesn’t that just make him a mercenary?
Posted By Dan Mobbs - Wednesday May 12, 2010.What a nob,
jamie C decided to retire for valid reasons. he was the most capped U21 i believe ever for england but after being selected in every squad and no matter what he did he was always looked over.
Imagine being in a squad for years waiting your chance and then when it comes up, a player who has played 1 game in 3 months gets selected over you - king.
you cant really blame him for losing committment - the guy has shown for years what a legend he is….get behind him and as the guy before says…
your a wanker
Carra would give 100% for whoever he plays for. He is only echoing what most Liverpool fans think of England and that is not a lot. Carra was treated diabolically by previous managers. The final straw was when Wes Brown got the nod ahead of him for centre-half. Being treated like a 2nd class citizen was too much to bear for a player who has been immense for Liverpool for so many years.
Perhaps you’d prefer Terry whose only motive to be England captain was to line his pockets with sponsorship. Carra would play for England for free, its never been about money or prestige, its been about honour. Something players like Terry, Ashley Cole and Ferdinand would never understand.
JC always said that he would consider coming back if England said they needed him.
Carra will win everyone over if he gets a game at the world cup.
and yes you are a wanker.
Scholes is classed as a hero by the United fans but he retired from international football and has no intention of coming out of it to help us. Who is the most unpatriotic Carra or Scholes.
To all the people who complain about Carra, the manager decides the team and not us, we have no votes on it. If he thinks Carra can do the job for the England football team then either get behind him of stop supporting England. All you are doing just like the crappy papers with their constant bitching and back stabbing of the England team is making it harder for the team to concentrate on doing what all true supporter want; for them to win the world cup.
Mr Liverpool is always a good choice.
He left the England team for good reasons which any normal person would understand . He said no months ago when he was asked by Capello . But now England has problems in Capellos opinion and he accepts to help his country .
Dont see anything else than a good thing from Carras side .
He’s not the fastest or best footballer in the world , but his attitude and commitment is above most of the palyers you’ll see in the WC.
Go Carra - YNWA !
get your facts straight you tosser jamie done what anyone would have done cos he got fucked off from being fucked about by the england manager time and time again everytime he was picked he ended up sitting on the bench if he was lucky and when he did play it was out of his best position and he had to watch people in his place who are not good enough to tie his boot laces!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU FUCKING TOSSER!!!!!!!!!
Your like TalkSport Dan, minus the premium rate phone lines. Brilliant.
You’ll be getting a call soon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTJxocLDfEA ….
Show me a footballer who isn’t a mercenary these days, Giggs’ attitude to wales was always poor (but they are rubbish) so maybe I can understand that one, there is too much money in football and not enough pride.
At the time Carragher made his comments he wasn’t good enough for the England team anyway.
Thanks for all your feelings on this subject, it’s always interesting to hear people’s different opinions, but if we could keep the fucking language civil, that would be fine and dandy.
A lot of people have taken exception to my poke at Carragher and that’s fair enough, but just to clarify at no point do I mention anything about his ability or whether or not his place in the squad is justified.
Instead I was questioning the motivation of his decision after having previously admitted that his loyalty lies with Liverpool and not England. He has been honest and he made his decision to retire from international football and that’s fine, but I was questioning why then go back on what he has said? Are England now his main priority and not Liverpool? What has changed since he made those comments in his 2008 autobiography?
The article contains very little opinion as it largely consists of quotes from his book and I am in no way slighting his ability. That’s a whole separate article.
I will now finish in the same polite and gracious manner as others have.
U r a wanker!!!!
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