David Beckham is standing down as England captain but insists he wants to continue his international career.
The 31-year-old appeared tearful as he delivered a statement he wrote on Saturday night following the defeat to Portugal in the World Cup quarter-final.
'I have lived the dream,' said Beckham. 'I'm extremely proud to have worn the armband and been captain of England, for that I will always be grateful.'
The Real Madrid player was appointed captain in 2000 and was an important link between the players and manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.
He led by example against Greece in 2001, curling in a last-gasp free-kick to send England to the World Cup finals where they were beaten in the quarter-finals by Brazil.
England could only reach the quarter-finals in Euro 2004 and defeat to Portugal in Germany marked the end of Eriksson's reign and Beckham's last match as skipper.
'Having been captain for 58 of my 95 caps, I feel the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter a new era under Steve McClaren,' said Beckham.
