David Beckham itching to play professional football again

David Beckham attends a photocall to launch “David Beckham: Into The Unknown” at The Serpentine Sackler Gallery in London on Tuesday. Mike Marsland / Getty Images

David Beckham, the former England captain, has hinted that he could come out of retirement.

“Now I go to watch a basketball game and, when you are watching athletes play at the top of their game, for me it gives me that itch again,” he said in a documentary to be broadcast by the BBC.

“I want to be back in the game then and I start thinking to myself, ‘Could I play again? Could I come out of retirement and start playing again?’” Beckham, 39, called time on his career last year after a brief spell with French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

He is working to launch a Major League Soccer team in Miami, and suggested that he might turn out for the team. “There’s never been a player-owner, but maybe?” he said.

Spain could learn from Confederations Cup defeat, defender says

Spain fullback Cesar Azpilicueta believes his team can benefit from the experience of losing last year’s Confederations Cup final to Brazil as they bid to retain the World Cup.

Spain have also won the previous two European Championships and qualified for Brazil by taking 20 points from a possible 24. They were, however, outplayed in the Confederations Cup final by the host nation.

“The World Cup is different but we know what we can expect although we will have to adapt to the conditions very quickly,” he told the website of his English club Chelsea.

Ribery in France’s 23-man squad

Didier Deschamps included Franck Ribery in France’s final 23-man squad for the World Cup. Deschamps submitted the list to Fifa late on Monday.

There were reports prior to the friendly against Paraguay on Sunday that Ribery could be doubtful because of a niggling back injury. But Deschamps has played down those fears, saying after the Paraguay game that he hopes the Bayern Munich winger will play some part in Sunday’s final warm-up match against Jamaica in Lille.

Balotelli could return for Italy’s friendly

Andrea Barzagli, the Italy defender, is a likely absentee but Mario Balotelli could return to the fold as Italy host Luxembourg on Wednesday night in their final warm-up before flying to Brazil.

Juventus defender Barzagli is feverish with the effects of tonsilitis, according to Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci, and is unlikely to make Cesare Prandelli’s squad for the encounter in Perugia. Balotelli, who has been sidelined with an adductor problem, has trained “normally” and “is available for selection”, according to Castellacci.

Rosell a suspect case surrounding Barcelona’s purchase of Neymar

A Spanish judge cited Sandro Rosell, the former Barcelona president, as a tax crime suspect over the €86 million (roughly Dh431m) signing of Brazilian international striker Neymar.

Investigating judge Pablo Ruz of Madrid’s National Court issued a written summons for Rosell and the football club, through its legal representatives, to appear as suspects on June 13.

The Spanish taxman lost out on up to €11.8m in total, the summons showed.

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