David Beckham: I would not retire from international football until 2012 London Olympics
The legendary England star, David Beckham, has revealed his plans to carry on playing competitive football until 2012. He insisted that he has no immediate plans to quit and wants to feature for England in the upcoming 2012 London Olympics to give a perfect ending to his glittering carrier. The Englishman is also hopeful of getting a contract extension with his current club, Los Angeles Galaxy, which could prolong his stay in the Major Soccer League for another season.
The 35-year-old Beckham, after making a superlative debut in 1996, now holds the record for most number of England caps with 115 games to his account. Speaking on his future plans, he revealed:
“It's (the London Olympics) something that I'd like to be involved in, and I'd like to be involved in as a player. But we'll have to wait and see. That's a year away yet. So we'll see. I'll enjoy the rest of this (MLS) season first.”
One thing that goes against Beckham is England coach Fabio Capello’s reluctance to include him in the England squad as he considers him a bit ‘too old’ to be featuring for England. Beckham has not been considered for the ongoing Euro 2012 campaign, and it seems unlikely that he would get another chance to wear the esteemed England jersey. However, he might feature for the Three Lions one last time should England arrange a special farewell match in future.
After missing out on the 2010 FIFA World cup held in South Africa due to an Achilles injury, he remained focused to remain a key member MLS outfit, LA Galaxy. He signed a five-year contract deal with the American club in 2007 for a deal worth a mammoth £128million after completing a successful transfer from Real Madrid. Now, as the MLS season is heading towards its end, David Beckham has hinted that he might sign an extension deal with the club.
Beckham said, “Yeah, you know, there's a chance. I haven't made any decision yet. I'll need to see how my body feels at the end of the season, and if I feel that I can perform and continue, then I will continue.”
Speculations are rife that the English Premier League club, Tottenham Hotspur, might lure him back to England on a short-tem deal after Beckham was seen training with the Spurs in the MLS off-season. Arsenal and Queens Park Rangers are the other English clubs who seem to have shown interest in the 35-year-old midfielder.
Beckham, who will turn 36 in May, desperately wants to play his part in bringing glory to England in the Olympics. Should Beckham get his wish, it would be a dream-come-true ending to the superstar’s career.