Becks determined to set benchmark

England record-breaker David Beckham is happy to carry on helping his country anyway he can, even if it means he is only used as a substitute. The AC Milan and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder came off the bench to replace Aaron Lennon for the start of the second half of Saturday's 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia at Wembley to make his 109th international appearance. Beckham, 33, has now surpassed the mark of legendary World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore for outfield appearances.

Fabio Capello's men are well on the road towards South Africa 2010, but Beckham knows there can be no guarantees he will be in the starting XI for Wednesday night's qualifier against Ukraine. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star - who captained England at the last two World Cup finals - feels being part of the international set-up once again is the most important thing.

"Everyone wants to start for England, but at the end of the day, everyone also wants to play for England," said Beckham, whose trademark cross from the right set up Wayne Rooney for England's second goal on 70 minutes. "Substitutes can be very important. We saw that [at Manchester United] in [the] 1999 [Champions League final] with Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

"Sometimes substitutes come on and can help secure a game, or change a game. "I was happy with getting on and happy with the assist. "It is what I have done for my whole career, and if I get a chance there are players like Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey or Peter Crouch to get on the end of it. "

Beckham declared: "If I start, then I start. If I don't, then I am part of the team - a good team which is going forwards. "The 33-year-old could not hide his delight at reaching such a personal landmark, and dedicated the achievement to his family, with wife Victoria at Wembley on Saturday. Beckham, though, was also humble enough to put those achievements second to the collective good.

"I am very proud to be up there above Bobby Moore, but the most important thing was the way the team played," he said. "Within the first couple of minutes, we had set the tone. "That is what the manager had been telling us to do. "Overall it was a good night for myself, but a better night for the team. "England head coach Capello was relieved Rooney had performed so well, scoring two second-half goals to seal a well-deserved man-of-the-match award.

Manchester United striker Rooney took his tally to seven in the last four appearances for England in a display which showed few signs of allowing last week's red card at Fulham to affect his game. Beckham was full of praise for his England team-mate. "Wayne has been training well all week and has been unbelievable for Manchester United," he said. "He is such a great player and nobody should try to tame the way he is because it will change him as a player"Wayne has runaround out there for the whole 90 minutes and is such an exceptional player for us. "

Capello has, meanwhile, called Darren Bent into the England squad for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine. The decision was made after Carlton Cole, who had come on to replace injured goalscorer Emile Heskey, was ruled out with a thigh problem. Heskey is also a major doubt, with the Aston Villa striker set to undergo a scan later on Sunday after lasting just 14 minutes before limping off with what the England coach described as cramp. In addition, Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand should be available for Wednesday's game after scans on a groin injury which caused him to miss out against Slovakia revealed no damage.
view more...

Beckham Revitalised By Milan Move

David Beckham is enjoying a new lease of life at AC Milan.
The former England skipper is set to win a record 109th cap against Slovakia on Saturday as the national team prepare for next week's crucial World Cup qualifier with Ukraine.
Two years ago, Beckham could never have imagined reaching such a figure.
But after putting the troubles that at one stage saw him axed for England and by current coach Fabio Capello with Real Madrid behind him, the 33-year-old is enjoying himself more than at any other stage of his career.
"Going to Milan has taken me to another level, both in terms of form and fitness," he said.
"A lot of people thought I wouldn't start a game or even play in any. Even I was thinking that given the players Milan have.
"But being involved so often has improved my confidence and my form. I am fitter than I have been for a long time and I have always said that when my fitness is at a high level, I can perform."
For virtually the first time, Beckham has admitted he thought his days as a top-line player were over when he was dumped by Steve McClaren in 2006.
Informed by answering machine message that his services were no longer required, his confidence was shattered.
Through sheer persistence and force of will, the Londoner went on to end that season as a title-winner in Spain and even got his England place back.
But the psychological damage had been done.
"I have had a lot of ups and downs in my career but being left out of the England squad was a big low," he said.
"It knocked my confidence a lot and it affected me.
"I just assumed I wouldn't play for my country again. They were playing well and I just thought: 'That's it'."
It was that mindset that Beckham took into any negotiations over his career as his contract with Real Madrid entered its final season.
Under such circumstances, it is easy to see how the lure of life in Major League Soccer began to look attractive.
Even now, Beckham will not say he regrets the decision but clearly feels happier playing in Italy.
"I didn't feel my legs had gone but confidence-wise, maybe," he said.
"When I went to Milan, I didn't know whether I was going to play a game or whether I would be able to keep up with the pace of some of the players in the team.
"But I surprised myself. The confidence is back that I can still play at this level.
"I went to LA to try something different and the game is still growing there. However, I was quite happy to get the Milan thing sorted.
"I have to be playing at the highest level to put me in a position to carry on getting picked for England. Being at Milan doesn't guarantee me a place but, in my own head, it gives me, the satisfaction of knowing I have done everything to be in that position."
view more...

Beckham grateful for record chance

AC Milan midfielder David Beckham revealed he never expected to get the chance to become an England record breaker.The former Three Lions skipper is set to become the most capped outfield player of all-time on Saturday by winning a 109th cap in the friendly against Slovakia, overtaking Bobby Moore's long-standing mark.It is a remarkable achievement by any standard but all the more astonishing given that just over two years ago, it appeared Beckham's career as a top-level performer was finished.Jettisoned for his country by Steve McClaren, dropped by the then Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello, little wonder Beckham was looking to the bright lights of Los Angeles and a lucrative offer to join the Galaxy.Little wonder either that Beckham was so desperate to join AC Milan now his career has turned full circle and he is in to better Peter Shilton's all-time best mark of 125 should he stay fit up to, and throughout, next year's World Cup.It is a position Beckham refuses to take for granted. He has not forgotten how low he felt as he contemplated a life without being able to wear that distinctive white shirt again."I didn't think it would happen," he reflected."I didn't believe I would play for England once I was taken out of the team. I just assumed that I would never play for my country again."It is the first time Beckham has made the admission, offering an obvious reason why he ended up at LA Galaxy in a deal he spent huge amounts of time trying to 'adjust' after performing superbly during what was initially a short-term loan at AC Milan.McClaren could justify his decision on the basis of having a successful start to an ultimately ill-fated tenure, Capello did so because with so much cash on offer in Major League Soccer, the player's attention would be permanently."When I was left out by Steve McClaren and the team were doing so well, 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, one day, 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."Bizarrely, as Shaun Wright-Phillips looks certain to miss out with an ankle problem that has prevented him training all week, Beckham could be in Capello's first XI on Saturday, which would represent another milestone as it would be the 100th match he has started for the Three Lions."It would be special but I am just happy to be in the squad," he said, with a trademark smile."If I get to 109 caps, it doesn't matter whether it comes as a starter or substitute, it is more important that I am here with the players and here with the squad."I am more interested in getting the team to the World Cup than anything else."Beckham's sheer joy at playing for England still shines through, even as he approaches his 34th birthday.Should he remain part of the journey all the way to South Africa, and the way his loan deal has been structured with AC Milan, he should, it would allow him to join an elite group who have appeared in four World Cup Finals.In that decade, Beckham has answered enough questions about whether England can emulate the team of 1966 to avoid them with ease.He knows the general perception across the globe is that under Glenn Hoddle and Sven-Goran Eriksson, England have under-performed on the biggest stage.Given that period includes two losing quarter-finals, it means the Three Lions had the players to do better.And, to a man who should know, it appears they still have."This is one of
view more...

Milan make Beckham positon clear

AC Milan have reiterated their intention to have David Beckham back in their squad next year once his season with the LA Galaxy is over.Last month the Rossoneri struck a deal with the MLS side to extend the 33-year-old's short-term loan deal at the San Siro until the end of the Serie A campaign.The clubs are also believed to have agreed a unique 'timeshare' agreement which will then see the England midfielder play for the Galaxy until the end of their season in November before returning to Milan next January.And general manager Adriano Galliani has told the club's official website: "Our agreement with the Galaxy is very clear."We obtained what we desired, which was to keep David until the end of the season."Beckham has been a hugely important acquisition, crucial for us."We hope that Beckham will return to us in January but from here until the start of the winter transfer window he will definitely be in Los Angeles."Beckham has made 13 league appearances for Carlo Ancelotti's side since joining on loan in January, and has already expressed his wish to return once the MLS season is over.
view more...

Beckhams' AC Milan D-day approaches

There are reports in the English Press that David Beckham has just six days to decide whether he wants to stay with Milan.

The England international is on loan from LA Galaxy and is due to return to the MLS outfit on March 8.

However, Beckham has settled in quickly at Milan and it has been reported that the midfielder is keen to stay on longer at San Siro.

Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has admitted his desire to sign Beckham on a permanent basis and the ball is in Beckham's court.

According to reports in The Sun, Beckham has just six days to make his final decision because he cannot extend his loan deal and must compete a permanent move before the transfer window closes.

becham scores #2

Beckham is about halfway through a three-month loan at Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy. He is to return to Major League Soccer on March 9.

"The future? We'll have to see,'' Beckham said. "I want to enjoy my time with AC Milan, like I've always said. It's a fantastic experience and I'm having a great time.''

The win gave Milan 40 points in third place. Juventus, which beat Fiorentina 1-0 Saturday, has 43 points - the same as Inter Milan ahead of its game against Sampdoria later Sunday. Genoa is fourth with 36 points after its 1-1 draw with Catania.

Marco Di Vaio gave Bologna the lead over Milan with his 15th goal of the season, converting from the penalty spot after Paolo Maldini brought down Christian Amoroso.

Clarence Seedorf quickly brought Milan level, turning in a rebound after goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli had saved a shot from Kaka.

Kaka then scored a penalty in the 17th and added a long range strike before halftime. He was given a standing ovation by Milan's fans when he was taken off 20 minutes before the end.

beckham scores

BOLOGNA, Italy - David Beckham scored his first goal in Italy on Sunday in AC Milan's 4-1 win over Bologna, and Kaka added two more to keep the team in touch with Juventus and Inter Milan.

Beckham scored his first goal since joining Milan on loan in the 60th minute after being put into space by Alexandre Pato.

"To score my fist goal is great and I will keep this shirt, but the important thing is we won here today,'' Beckham said. "I think we played well, even when they went down to 10 men, we still played our game.''
view more...