David Beckham says he is more interested in getting England to the 2010 World Cup than breaking Bobby Moore's appearance record.
Former captain Beckham will become England's most capped outfield player by winning his 109th cap if he plays in Saturday's friendly against Slovakia. But the 33-year-old said: "It would be special but I would rather get the team to the World Cup than anything else.
"When I was on 94 caps I never expected to make 100."
With Arsenal winger Theo Walcott ruled out through injury and Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips struggling with an ankle problem, Beckham stands a good chance of figuring in coach Fabio Capello's plans for the friendly at Wembley as England prepare for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with Ukraine. Should he be chosen in the first XI it would be the 100th start of his England career, but it is a position he refuses to take for granted as just over two years ago his international career seemed over.
He added: "I didn't believe I would play for England once I was taken out of the team. When I was left out of the squad by [former coach] Steve McClaren I just allowed myself to be proud of the number of caps I had. As a young boy all I dreamed of was playing at Wembley and playing for my country, even if it was just the once. It was only when I got to 50 that I thought about reaching 100. But I definitely felt I would end up on 94."
Beckham's career has been revitalised by a loan move from Los Angeles Galaxy to AC Milan and it appears to have secured his short-term future in the squad. If he stays fit throughout their World Cup qualification campaign - and the tournament itself should they qualify - he is in line to break Peter Shilton's all-time England record of 125 caps.
That landmark, though, is not something he is considering at the moment. "Once we've qualified I need to stay fit and get in the squad," he said. "If that happens we will wait and see where I am on the caps front. If I break Shilton's record then great. If not we will have to see what the future holds."
Source: news.bbc.co.uk
1 comment:
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