Kevin Pietersen has shared his thoughts on Ben Stokes‘ international cricket retirement, with the former England captain taking to social media to provide his own divisive thoughts on the saga.

Stokes announced his decision just days ago in the middle of a session during the third and final Test against New Zealand, with the all-rounder denying the idea that the decision was made as a direct result of events in the past three weeks.

He was made unavailable for England’s second Test in the three-game series following an incident in a London nightclub, but returned to the action for the deciding Test, which went in favour of the visitors.

Andrew Boyers via Reuters

Despite leaving international cricket, he will continue to play domestic cricket. While he was away from the England team for the second Test, he played for Durham, and he’s since admitted that playing at county level rekindled his love for the game.

Stokes, who has been England’s Test captain since 2022, making a decision like this certainly poses plenty of questions. For instance, what does his future look like, and who replaces him?

There is also the surprise at the decision to announce it in the middle of a game, with a series on the line. Aside from that, there’s also the possibility of others following suit.

Kevin Pietersen Expects More Departures

Pietersen gave his thoughts on Stokes’ decision to retire, showing the same concern for the issue as the majority of cricket fans.

Taking to social media, he said: “Ben Stokes should NOT have been the first to go. And, in the next little while, he WON’T be the last.”

The cryptic message caused plenty of discussion, with the message seen more as a warning.

Much has been made of the situation, and whether it was the right time to bid farewell to international cricket. For Stokes, though, he thinks now was the suitable moment, especially when looking at his own career.

Ben Stokes Happy With Retirement Decision

Andrew Boyers via Reuters

When talking to Sky Sports, he said: “It might sound quite selfish, but this decision is genuinely the best thing for me right now. I hope it’s the best thing for the team going forward, but I also hope it’s what will allow me to keep loving this game that has given me so much.”

After 15 years, 122 Tests, 114 one-day internationals, and 43 T20s, his career representing the country has come to an end, with many left in shock. He now looks to focus more on his domestic career, and playing for Durham.

He said: “I’m very excited about the next part of what I get to do. Going back to playing for my boyhood club, Durham, I’m comparing this week to that week – right now I am buzzing, but there have been moments this week that have been really tough.”

In 1998, England arrived at the World Cup ready to make up for lost time, having missed out on the tournament four years earlier.

However, little did they know, it would all come crashing down once again. Hopes were high for the strong squad, led by Glenn Hoddle, that included Alan Shearer, Paul Ince, Tony Adams and the rising superstar David Beckham.

For what he later credited as a turning point in his career and life, Beckham would go from hero to zero on what was a fateful day in Saint-Étienne as the two international rivals locked horns 12 years on from the infamous 1986 quarter-final.

Why was David Beckham sent off?

With 1986 in everyone’s mind and plenty on the line for both countries, the tension was palpable. It had already been a dramatic knockout tie even prior to Beckham’s dismissal.

An early Gabriel Batistuta opener was canceled out by Shearer before teenager Michael Owen put the Three Lions ahead in stunning fashion; that goal was assisted by Beckham and remains one of the great England World Cup moments.

However, Argentina were up for the fight. An incisive free-kick routine resulted in Javier Zanetti firing past David Seaman just before halftime to leave the match in the balance heading into the second half.

As a result, tensions began to boil over. After a fierce battle with Diego Simeone, both lay on the ground but the Argentine seemed to provoke Beckham with a few taps and the United star failed to keep his composure, kicking out right in the front of the referee.

Hardly violent conduct, but it was enough to be sent off. England were left to compete with 10 men for the rest of the second half and the subsequent extra-time and penalty shootout defeat.

Reaction to Beckham’s red card

In the aftermath of the defeat, the media and fan outcry was brutal. Beckham was painted as public enemy number one, and it’s a miracle that he ever pulled on an England shirt again.

With the media and manager Hoddle already questioning his focus and quality, the red card was the perfect excuse for all the naysayers. The England manager failed to defend him in his post-match interview; an interview that Beckham later admitted was ‘difficult to take’.

The papers printed a damning headline: ‘Ten heroic lions, one stupid boy’. It seemed the entire nation had turned against him and the striking images showing effigies of him being burned still make for difficult viewing.

At the time, Beckham was arguably the most hated man in the country. A dartboard with his face on it was plastered on the front of one particular newspaper, fans booed him when he returned to club football and many didn’t want him to play for England ever again.

What did Diego Simeone say about it?

Known for being a purveyor of the dark arts, from Argentina’s side Simeone had done his country an honourable service in getting Beckham sent off.

Yet, in a 2002 interview ahead of the World Cup, he admitted to overacting to secure the dismissal. He said: “Let’s just say the referee fell into the trap. You could say that my falling transformed a yellow card into a red card. In fact, the most appropriate punishment was a yellow. Obviously, I was being clever.”

He reflected on the situation in later years, noting how it was a transformative moment for Beckham. “It was probably a difficult time in his career, but also gave him a lot of strength to be the player and the man he is in football.”

David Beckham’s Redemption

The year 2001 brought about a true superhero moment that was the beginning of his redemption in an England shirt.

England needed one more point to confirm their place at the 2002 World Cup and were trailing 2-1 at home to Greece in the qualifying phase. With minutes left, Beckham fired in an incredible free-kick from 30 yards out to miraculously send his country to the tournament. Where once he was hated, he was now adored.

Then it all came full circle in the group stages, as England faced Argentina again. Beckham fired home the only goal of the game from the penalty spot and let out an emotional roar that seemed to expel the demons from that dark day four years earlier.

England would later lose to eventual champions Brazil, but Beckham had completed his redemption arc.

The Netherlands crashed out of the 2026 World Cup on Monday evening as they suffered an agonising penalty shootout defeat to reigning AFCON champions, Morocco.

Ronald Koeman’s side were one of the most impressive teams at the tournament in the group stage, scoring 10 goals and going unbeaten across their three matches.

Despite finishing top of Group F, they were handed a very tricky last 32 tie against Morocco.

The Netherlands looked like they were going to go through when Cody Gakpo gave them the lead with 18 minutes remaining. However, Oranje couldn’t hang on as Issa Diop’s goal in stoppage-time restored parity.

The match went to a penalty shootout and the Netherlands crashed out after Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville were unable to score their spot-kicks.

Pawel Andrachiewicz/PressFocus via Reuters

The Netherlands, despite being so impressive in the group stage, decided to play a completely different way against Morocco. Instead of playing a free-flowing, attacking style of football, Koeman’s side decided to defend deep and let Morocco have the majority of the ball.

That style of play limited the Netherlands to 30% and just three shots on target. Ultimately, it didn’t play off as the Netherlands crashed out of the competition.

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk, who played the full match but did not take a spot-kick, is adamant that the game plan worked. He told NOS just after the game, per vi.nl: “[It’s] Very difficult to analyze it now.

“If you look at almost all the big teams at the World Cup: they also just drop back and they also wait for the right moment to apply pressure. We trained hard on this for two days; at times it went well. Of course, there are always things that can be improved, but anyway: that doesn’t help us right now.”

Van Dijk’s belief that the game plan worked has not gone down well with football fans. One said: “Tone deaf from someone of his caliber.” Another commented: “What major teams are dropping deep? The only teams dropping deep I’ve seen are the true underdogs without the quality.”

A third wrote: “Yes Virgil, gameplan succeeded greatly! Much success! Managed to get a draw after parking the bus for 90 minutes, conceding after going 1-0 up and then missing 3 pens. Good process!”

A fourth said: “What a clown”, while a fifth called the Liverpool star “Virgil Van Delusional.”

Ronald Koeman Defends Defensive Tactics

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Koeman has come under fire following the Netherlands’ defeat, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic blaming him for their exit. Despite the criticism, he is adamant that he was right to set up his side to play defensively.

He said after the match, per the Guardian: “You can think whatever you like but we gave away much less against a team that was stronger than [group stage opponents] Sweden and Tunisia. If I had to do it again I’d do it all the same way. As the Dutch coach when the equaliser is scored I am always going to be scolded for the fact I chose five defenders.

“But you criticise, which is your right. You watch from the sidelines, I’m here with the team and, once again, I’d do it again.”

Morocco will now play co-hosts Canada for a place in the quarter-final. The match will take place at Houston Stadium on Saturday, July 4.