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Beckham scotches rumours of early retirement
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-11-16 09:55
England captain David Beckham scotched rumours that he intends the 2006 World
Cup to be his swansong in an England shirt, at a press conference.
British newspapers on Sunday suggested Beckham was going to retire in 18
months time, after the World Cup in Germany.
"I was asked the question, 'Will it my last World Cup,' and I said, 'Possibly
it will be my last World Cup.' But hopefully it's not.
England's captain
David Beckham speaks during a news conference at the Congress Palace in
Madrid, November 15, 2004. England play Spain in a friendly international
soccer match at the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on November 17.
[Reuters] |
"I want to continue playing for
England as long as I can, If that means playing for England after the World Cup
then great. Playing for my country is one of the best honours you can get in
football.
"Playing for England is an honour that any player would give his right arm
for. There's plenty of players who deserved to play for England but never did,"
said Beckham, who has been capped 76 times.
Beckham revealed that rather than retiring, he wants to go into the England
record books for the number of caps.
"I have set a target for myself of reaching the record of an idol of mine
Bobby Charlton, and also the late Bobby Moore's record. It would be a milestone
in my career.
Charlton made 106 appearances for England while Moore, who led England to
their historic victory in the 1966 World Cup, managed 108.
The current England record for caps is held by goalkeeper Peter Shilton at
125.
Beckham said, in fact, that he had no thoughts of retirement whatever.
"Eric Cantona, when he retired, said he wanted to finish at the top, and he
probbly retired early. I want to carry on as long as my legs will stand it and
at the moment I feel great.
However, Beckham said that he understood the decision of his former
Manchester United team mate Paul Scholes to call it a day for England after Euro
2004, when many felt he could have carried on until at least 2006.
"Paul is a great player and the service that he gave England, and Manchester
United is incredible. He's made that decision and I respect him, everyone
respects him, but everyone is different. Personally, I want to carry on as long
as possible."
Beckham didn't discount the idea of dropping back into a deeper role in order
to prolong his career at the top level for club and country.
"I've never seen myself as a goalkeeper but a sweeper is possible. Once my
legs give up, then that'll be it, but I want to carry on as long as possible,"
joked the Real Madrid player.
Beckham will lead England out against Spain at Real's Santiago Bernabeu on
Wednesday, his first international after controversially provoking a yellow card
in a World Cup qualifier against Wales on October 9.
The admission that he had deliberately tried to miss the following
international in Azerbaijan, which England won 1-0, caused howls of protest at
his attitude.
"I think I've made my apologies, I've apologised to the FA. I've apologised
to FIFA and got a nice letter back from Sepp Blatter. FIFA and the FA have drawn
a line under it and so have I.
"He (Blatter) just said in the letter that 'you've been an ambassador for the
sport and conducted yourself in the right way, and good luck for the future.'
"And that's what I want to be, I want to be an ambassador for the game and
that's what I want to be," said Beckham.
"At the end of my career, I want to be an ambassador for world football and
English football and remembered for my football. Unfortunately, a lot got blown
out of proportion," added the contrite England captain.
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