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| England's captain
David Beckham (L) poses for photographs during a news conference
at the Congress Palace in Madrid, November 15, 2004.
[Reuters] |
England captain David Beckham has denied reports
that he plans to retire from international soccer after the 2006 World Cup and says his aim is to beat
the appearance records set by Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton.
"I was asked if the next World Cup was going to be my last and I said
possibly it could be but I hope it isn't," Beckham told a news conference
in Madrid before Wednesday's friendly against Spain.
"I want to carry on playing for England as long as I can and if that
means playing after the World Cup then great. I don't want to retire from
playing for my country because it's one of the best honors I've ever been
given in football.
"I set a target for myself when I got into the team and when I was
given the captaincy and that was to reach the records of Bobby Charlton
and Bobby Moore, both of which were idols of me and my dad."
Former Manchester United forward Charlton won 106 caps and England
captain Moore won 108, to become the two outfield players to make the most
appearances for the national side.
 The 29-year-old Beckham, who has won 76 caps, said he would
continue playing as long as his body would allow him.
"I get a few more aches and
pains after games these days, but that's the only thing
and as long as the legs can stand it I will carry on.
"But the most important thing for me is to carry on playing for
England, to reach the World Cup and to win the World Cup."
Beckham said that he had put the recent controversy over a booking in
the World Cup qualifier against Wales behind him and was intent on
ensuring his reputation as a player was not sullied any further.
 Beckham also paid tribute to Real Madrid and England team mate
Michael Owen, who has found his
feet at the club after a difficult start in Spain.
"I never had any doubts about Michael playing in this team and scoring
the goals like he is. It's great for Real Madrid and great for England."
Owen said his own aim was to close in on Charlton's scoring record of
49 goals. "It looks like we're all after Bobby Charlton," said the
24-year-old, who scored his sixth goal in eight games when he grabbed one
in Real's 6-1 victory over Albacete Sunday.
"I'm on 28 goals at the moment and I'd dearly love to get the record but it's going to take a very big effort
to stay in the team for the next five or six years and to keep
playing on a regular basis."
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-11-16 09:51