"People have been saying I'm past it for 10 years" admits Beckham

By David Gold

November 3 – LA Galaxy star David Beckham has again used a high-profile opportunity to continue to push his dream of competing for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Now 36, the winger still has the determination and desire to play for his country, and he has long made clear that competing at London 2012 is a key goal for him.

Though the football tournament is for under-23’s, three players over that age limit can compete, and with many senior England players set to travel to Ukraine and Poland for the European Championships earlier in the summer, Beckham is well placed to find a place in Stuart Pearce’s squad, as he has found himself frozen out by national manager Fabio Capello.

“We all dream about it and we all think about [the Olympics],” he told BBC Sport in an interview broadcast on the main 10 O’Clock News.

“If it happens, I’ll be honoured.

“People have been saying [I am too old] for the last 10 or 15 years and I’ve still continued to play for my country.

“Right now, I feel fit and still love playing, so I’m not finishing yet.”

Cynics who doubt Beckham’s ability at the highest level have always existed, even when he was in the prime of his career at Manchester United, with some suggesting he was predictable and lacked pace, yet he clearly is not affected by those who think he should retire from the game.

Indeed, the 115 times capped former England captain is still looking to lift silverware in the twilight of his career, and tomorrow his LA Galaxy side will move a step closer to doing just that when they meet the New York Red Bulls.

Beckham set up the only goal of the first leg of their Major Soccer League (MLS) Cup Western Conference semi-final for Mike Magee, giving Bruce Arena’s side a crucial advantage going into the home leg at the Home Depot Center in California.

His sights are focused solely on helping Galaxy to lift the trophy, though he admits that he is flattered by interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers and Paris St. Germain.

“At 36 years old to still have that interest in me is an honour, I’m very flattered by that but right now I’m a Galaxy player and I will continue to be a Galaxy player until we win the league – the MLS Cup – and then we’ll see,” said Beckham, who has just signed another lucrative sponsorship deal to become the new face of supermarket giant Sainsbury’s in the build-up to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

“I haven’t even sat down and thought about what my options are yet.”

Though Beckham protests innocence about where his future lies, there is an increasing belief that he is most likely to line up at the Parc des Princes in Paris for Antoine Kombouare’s side sooner rather than later.

He would move after his five year deal at LA Galaxy comes to an end at the conclusion of the MLS Cup campaign, but he also suggested that he could be involved in purchasing a franchise team in the American league when his career finally comes to an end.

“I have the option and it’s something I probably will do, obviously I have to wait until I finish playing,” he said.

“I want to be part of something that is going to grow and I believe that this sport is going to grow.”

Whatever the future holds for the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, his impact has been felt in the US despite criticism of his commitment to the LA Galaxy cause.

Since Beckham signed, the MLS has reportedly added $200 million (£126 million/€145 million) to its sponsorship deal with Adidas, whilst average attendances have slowly increased, and this year were a record 17,872.

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734849535labto1734849535ofdlr1734849535owedi1734849535sni@d1734849535log.d1734849535ivad1734849535