According to media reports, Hollywood star Tom Cruise reckons that his friend and England footballer David Beckham will land a starring role in the 2014 World Cup at the ripe old age of 39.

He was sorry that Beckham would miss this month's World Cup in South Africa because of an Achilles tendon injury, Cruise said.

The Sun quoted Cruise, as saying, "I wish he was playing in the World Cup this year, but he will be back for the next one, you know."

It has been reported that Cruise and Beckham became great mates after the midfielder signed for LA Galaxy.

The 35-year-old is already England's oldest outfield player and the odds are stacked against him being involved in the next big tournament, Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

However, the report also noted that a return to international duty by him would not break any records, as Black-pool legend Stanley Matthews holds the record for representing the Three Lions when he played against Denmark in 1957 aged 42 years, 103 days. (With Inputs from Agencies)