Aaron Ramsey: Wales boss Craig Bellamy wants statue for captain

Wales boss Craig Bellamy insists Aaron Ramsey still has an international future despite leaving him out of his latest squad – and believes the captain should have a statue built in his honour when he eventually retires.

Ramsey, 34, was omitted from the Wales squad for Thursday’s World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan and friendly against Canada the following Tuesday.

Bellamy explained that the midfielder’s lack of match fitness was the reason for what he described as a mutual decision, with Ramsey only making one substitute appearance since March.

That came earlier this month as he made his debut for new club Pumas UNAM, playing his first minutes for the Mexican side since suffering a hamstring injury for Cardiff City last season.

Ramsey has previously stated his aim of playing for Wales at the 2026 World Cup, and Bellamy still sees a place for the former Arsenal playmaker in his future plans.

“He’s been about for a while and he’s still got football in his legs. He might even have more with this move, I don’t know,” said Bellamy. “We’ll see. He’s available. You cannot not look at him. It’s impossible.

“We’re always quick to try and retire people. It’s not our right to, not our right to have an opinion on their right. I don’t believe it is.

“Leave it to them. When they’ve earned that, leave it to them. And the moment he says no, then, ‘Where’s your statue?’ Then we’ll do that for you.

“Because he’s been the most incredible player. And do you know what I found with him as well? The team grows. When they see him, they grow. You just hear his messaging and he talks. [Players think] ‘we’re good, we’re good, we’ve got this’. Even at 50% of what it was before.”