David Beckham has revealed he will do ‘everything possible’ to match Bobby Moore's record
number of caps for England and hopes his AC Milan adventure can help him achieve his dream.
Beckham has moved to the San Siro on a three-month loan deal from the Los Angeles Galaxy and was officially unveiled as a Milan player last night.
The 33-year-old equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's 107 caps for England in a World Cup qualifier against Belarus in October and is just one appearance off Moore's record.
And the former England captain would love nothing more than to achieve that goal.
Beckham said: ‘I know how (England coach) Fabio Capello works.
‘If you're good enough and working hard enough, you'll be in the team no matter where you are or where you're playing.
‘You should not be given England caps lightly, they're very precious. People have questioned that in the last few games I've played in which is quite unbelievable considering I'm on 107 caps.
‘To be up there with Bobby Moore, Charlton and Billy Wright is an incredible thing. If I end up equalling the record, I'd be even more honoured but at the moment I take each game as it comes.
‘I love playing football and everyone knows how much it means to me to play for my country. If I equal the record it would be amazing, but I'm happy to be up there.’
Beckham acknowledged, however, his chances of making a fourth World Cup finals appearance in 2010 are slim, but believes there are enough decent young English players out there to leave the national team in a healthy position without him.
He continued: ‘I think when World Cups get mentioned, any player wants to play.
‘But realistically I'm not the youngest in the squad anymore. I may have great experience of World Cups and big games, but we've got young players coming through.
‘It's great for our country we have so many right-sided players, forwards, and I hope we continue playing the way we have been playing recently.
‘Being on 107 caps...well you know how much it means to me, I hope it continues and will do everything possible to make it continue.
‘After Milan I'll be going back to LA, working hard and keeping myself fit, and hopefully still playing for my country, and that's all I can do to keep involved.’
Beckham has made the move to Milan in a bid to remain match fit and hopefully stay in Capello's thoughts.
While the former Manchester United player claims that is not the sole reason, he admits he fears his England career could be over if he fails to break into the Rossoneri side.
Beckham said: ‘If any player is not in the team or at his top level then to play at international level is virtually impossible.
‘What's great about Capello as a manager is that wherever you're playing in the world, if you're fit and playing well he'll give you a chance.
‘So I have to be playing and I have to be playing well.
‘It's great Capello's given me the chance to play for England again. To be brought back into the
England squad...everyone knows how much that means to me, and whether it's for five, 10 or 90 minutes, I'll always be there for my country.
‘That is not the sole reason I'm here though. I'm going to enjoy playing here at AC Milan. I came here because I wanted experience of playing in Italy and to keep fit so when I go back to LA I'll be in good condition.
‘Of course I want to stay fit to be in contention but it's not the only thing I'm here for.’
Beckham also revealed he sought out Capello for advice before embarking on a loan move to Milan.
Beckham added: ‘Fabio Capello is a person I respect a great deal so when I decided to go on loan of course I asked his advice.
‘He didn't tell me any club in particular. I said I wanted to play in Italy and hopefully wanted to play for Milan, that if given the opportunity I would take that.
‘He said the best thing was to play football at the highest level, wherever that is. If it had been Italy, England or Spain, it would be great for me.
‘It was great to have someone like that to go and talk to and get some advice from.’
Beckham will join up with his new team-mates on 29 December when they fly out to Dubai for a winter training camp.
His first competitive fixture could be against Roma on January 11 and he cannot wait to make his Serie A debut.
He said: ‘I would have played (tonight) if I could, but unfortunately that is not possible.
‘When we agreed the loan, I looked at the fixtures. The first one, Roma, and then I looked to see if there is a derby in there, and there was.
‘I am looking forward to that one. I know the atmosphere in derbies is incredible. I have been lucky to play in the Manchester derby which, thankfully, the majority of times we won.
‘To play Inter, who have got an incredible coach (Jose Mourinho), is something I am really looking forward to and I hope we win that one too.’
