England captain Rio Ferdinand says missing out on the Euro 2000 squad inspired him to improve his career.
Keegan snub spurred former Leeds defender to the top
England captain Rio Ferdinand says missing out on the Euro 2000 squad inspired him to improve his career.
Ferdinand had expected to be a part of then manager Kevin Keegan's team for the finals in Belgium and the Netherlands.
But the former Leeds defender missed out, and spoke of his hurt at watching the tournament from his living room as the Three Lions crashed out of the group stages.
Ferdinand said in the Sunday Mirror: "I didn't speak to anybody. My pride was hurt that I had to sit and watch the team play. I was feeling in my head that I should be there.
Embarrassing
"And I looked at myself and said: 'Did you work hard enough to be there?' I just knew in my head what I needed to do to be able to make sure it never happened again.
"I went for a run in the park near my mum's house with a friend of the family and it felt embarrassing."
Ferdinand has since moved onto Manchester United where he has developed as a player and person, going on to captain his country and win numerous honours under Sir Alex Ferguson's stewardship.
The 31-year-old said the experience of being left out spurred him on to ensure his didn't suffer the heartbreak once again - and inspired him to overcome the setback which he believes helped him become one of the most highly regarded centre-backs in the game.
He added: "I've been there. If I hadn't had the mental strength, it could have knocked me sideways.
"Up until that point I didn't have a clear picture. I was just going through my career and if I had carried on that way I would probably be playing for a lower league team now.
"I wouldn't be here now. I took stock. It was the embarrassment of walking down the road, knowing that people were thinking: 'He's not in the England squad anymore.'"
Changed
Ferdinand's disappointment in 2000 was followed up by missing the 2004 tournament in Portugal because of a missed drug test, which resulted in the Peckham-born star being handed a two year ban by the FA.
The stopper admits he had been distracted in the younger days of his career but insists he has put them behind him.
"Now I'm more experienced and mature," said Ferdinand. "I'm not on the rave scene like I used to be. I used to be on the clubbing circuit when I was young.
"If there were any parties, I would get a phone call. I was the go-to man to find out what was going on. That's changed now."