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 honours 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.
"I made my public apology, I made my apology to the FA, I apologised to FIFA and got a nice letter back from Sepp Blatter.
"He just said: 'you've been an ambassador for the sport for so many years and you've always conducted yourself in the right way so good luck in the future.'
OWEN TRIBUTE
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 think it's great to see him in this form because after the first couple of games he played for Real Madrid people were doubting him.
"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 is 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 on 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."
More from rediff