Beckham is one of the greatest English players ever. He is a legend in England, or rather, he was. Everything went downhill after he left Man U. But he's been such a big part of the England's World Cup, that they can't just drop him. He's like Maldini. Maldini gave up his spot allow another younger player. Lippi never would have left him off the squad. Although Maldini is still greater than Beckham in my books, Beckham is also pretty damn good.