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]

"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.