DAVID BECKHAM TOLD CNN today that he has not given up hope of resurrecting his England career and playing in next year’s World Cup despite not pulling on an England jersey in over three years.

The 37-year-old returned to European football with Paris Saint-Germain in January and hopes to feature in the Ligue 1 leaders’ Champions League clash with Barcelona on Tuesday.

An international recall is unlikely to happen but it did get us thinking, who are the oldest players to appear in major sporting events.

Football World Cup – Roger Milla, Cameroon (42 years, 39 days)

Peter Robinson/EMPICS Sport

Football World Cup final – Dino Zoff, Italy (40 years, 133 days)

Peter Robinson/EMPICS Sport

Ireland football – Bill Lacey (40 years, 225 days)

EMPICS/EMPICS Sport

Rugby World Cup – Diego Ormaechea, Uruguay (40 years, 26 days)

David Rawcliffe/EMPICS Sport

Rugby World Cup final – Brad Thorn, New Zealand (36 years, 262 days)

Barry Aldworth/Sports Inc/Press Association Images

Ireland rugby – John Hayes (37 years, 277 days)

Niall Carson/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Inter-county GAA – Tommy McLoughlin, Leitrim (47)

INPHO/James Crombie

Super Bowl – Matt Stover, Indianapolis Colts (42 years, 11 days)

Matt Slocum/AP/Press Association Images

NBA Finals – Robert Parish, Chicago Bulls (43 years, 254 days)

AP/Press Association Images

Boxing – Bernard Hopkins, USA (48 years, 54 days)

Frank Franklin II/AP/Press Association Images

Snapshot: Fran The Man stands toe-to-toe with UFC fighter Conor McGregor