Bellamy looks to end patriot games
CRAIG BELLAMY will bring down the curtain on 15 years’ sterling service for Wales when his country’s qualifying campaign ends next month in Belgium.
Controversial and colourful in equal measure, the archpatriot has always maintained that he would never turn his back on his country.
Bellamy, often irascible but always forthright and honest in his views, was in reflective mood following Wales’ defeat in Macedonia as he surveyed his future on the international and home front with Cardiff.
‘I don’t think the next campaign is going to be possible for me,’ the 34yearold said. ‘I’ve always said I wouldn’t retire from playing for my country and I really want this group to succeed. But if I started, I would be robbing someone else of two matches, four matches and vital experience.
‘And they would miss out as well. That’s the way I’m looking at it.
‘I’ve thought about it really hard. I’m a single parent now and I’m having such a battle to see my kids on a daily basis.
“The way I’m feeling now, it could be my last season”
‘It’s so hard. Then, being away for 10 days ... I’m not the only dad who has to go through it but, if you experienced it, you would understand.
‘Your lads know it’s work, but as far as they are concerned, I’m just having a great ti me in Macedonia!
‘Yes, my mood does change. But the way I’m feeling now, it could be my last season in football.
‘I have so much to look forward to after football. Life isn’t just about football. The adventure starts when you finish — and I’m looking forward to that.
‘I’ve been playing at a professional level for 17, 18 years now and there’s more to life. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve cherished every moment of it.’
Bellamy is confident there are talented youngsters eager to follow him, especially Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, who has started the season so well.
‘ It’s the best I’ve seen him,’ added Bellamy. ‘I’ve taken more of an interest in him than any other Wales player because his father is from the same area of Cardiff as I am. I knew him coming up as a kid.
‘When something like that injury happens to you, you have a lot to deal with.
‘He’s had a couple of personal issues going on in the background that people don’t know about and also you don’t really know what goes on in a young footballer’s mind.
‘But what he has been through, the injuries and everything else, has helped him to become the player he is.
‘There isn’t a person out there in football who didn’t expect that kind of performance from him at the moment. He’s been capable of it. We are now seeing it.’
As f or man of the moment, Gareth Bale, the former Celtic loan player said: ‘It’s new for us. We have had Ryan Giggs; don’t get me wrong, but this is different. It’s a great time for us to market our country and tell everyone about the good things we have.
‘It’s not everyday that you can boast the world’s most expensive player as one of yours. As a group of players, we will try to look after him.’
‘I’ve seen it with Giggsy a bit. This is different. It’s great because of the recognition our nation will get. But he’s not a bad player now, is he?’
Bellamy admits to no little frustration at Friday night’s disappointing outcome against Macedonia. ‘We gave away a daft goal from a freekick — again. That’s nine goals we have conceded now from setpieces in this qualification campaign.
‘Our style of play is suited to the players we have, but I still feel we can do a little bit more. I think sometimes it gets too easy. And that’s not something I’ve said often when talking about Wales.
‘If we could just turn that great possession into goals, then we would have a chance of really doing something.’
But while he contemplates hanging up his boots, Bellamy is unlikely to be completely lost to the game he loves.
‘I’ve got my A licence already,’ he says. ‘I’m doing my prolicence and, after that, I’m going to travel around the world, to places like Spain and Argentina, to learn my craft.
‘I don’t just want to go in and mess about. When I go in, I’m going to be prepared — and I’m going to stay in.’