David Beckham Interview

England star David Beckham has been preparing for the crunch Euro 2000 tie by watching a videotape of his European Cup win with Manchester United last week.

"I watched the game last night for the first time and it sunk in a little bit last night but I don't think it will sink in for a long time just what we have achieved this season."

"When you've had a season like we've had it is hard to come down from it. We've got a massive game on Saturday but it's been a little bit hard coming down after the celebrations but I've just got to lift myself now and it won't be hard."

Beckham starts on Saturday in the Group Five tie against Sweden the section leaders at Wembley in new coach Kevin Keegan's first game in charge as the full time coach of the national team. Beckham feels his curent run of senational form can continue.

"When you've been doing well all season and your club has been doing well you want to be involved in every game and you want to keep playing. If you're not going well and the team's not playing well you just want to stop playing. Thankfully this season we've done well and you just want to play as many games as you can."

The midfielder has made 55 starts so far this season for club and country. "I've felt a little tired but at this point in my career I'm only 24. I love playing football. That's my job and that's what I love doing so game after game as long as I am involved then I am happy."

Beckham was in confident and reflective mood this afternoon as he was questioned by the press about about his sending off last summer in the World Cup quarter final against Argentina. The dismissal brought a wave of conmdemnation upon the young player as England crashed out of the competition last year. Beckham spoke of his hurt and concern for others at the vehement reactions against him in England after the game in Saint Etienne.

"I knew as soon as I was back at Old Trafford and training with the lads I had to get the first game out of the way and I knew I would be comfortable. That's what the manager said to me at the time - just forget all about it once you're playing. It was quite hard at first because of the attention I was getting. It affected my family more than me. It was hard but I just got on with it and I've enjoyed this season probably more than any other." I think more than anything the things that were being said in the papers and a lot of people coming out and saying things that hurt me because it was upsetting a lot of the people in my family and a lot of my friends. But I just feel sorry for the people who have been saying things like that. I don't hate anyone - I just enjoy my football and I love playing."

"There were so many things said but it upset me more that it was affecting my Mum and Dad and the people around them. There wasn't one thing in particular that I remember but now we're champions of Europe and champions of England I have forgotten about that.

Beckham will be marrying in July after a two year relationship with Spice Girls pop star Victoria Adams with whom he has a baby son.

"Victoria was upset because I was upset. I was away with Victoria and out of the way so my Mum and Dad got everything really. It wasn't fair on them. They know how I am. They now I am happier now than I have ever been."

"If you go through and experience like that you can either crack or you can come out and make people eat their words which I feel I have done".

"I have just got on with football and that's the important thing to me - playing and enjoying it. Then I am happy.

The player insisted that he could be in more trouble with referees but his interviews this afternoon showed a calm and confident man whose disciplinary record this season has been excellent as United have played their way to three trophies.

"On the pitch I do react if things go on. That is the sort of player I am.If I do get booked for saying something to the referee or kicking a player then that's is me I am never going to change. I have been like that since I started playing football. I have calmed down a little bit but I am the sort of player who gets involved. It was just a spur of the moment thing. For me personally it is all forgotten about now."

"I am only 24 but I have done so many things with club and country probably more than a lot of people have done in the whole of their careers and it has been hard but I would rather it be this way than any other."

"We have won the treble and I'm in the England squad and playing regularly and my private life is perfect. Football-wise everything is perfect there as well. If your private life and your life outside football is good then it is good on the field for you. As I have said I am happier now than I have ever been at the moment. My football is going really well."

The star spoke of the new mature attitudes he was adopting.

"When you do have kids you do grow up. People did say that to me. I have just started realising it now it changes the world - having children."

He is thrilled to be involved again with the national side.

"It is the best feeling in the world playing for your country. Even as a young lad it is something you always want to do. You want to play for England and you want to put the England shirt on and every player really feels like that. There was something in the paper the other day about how much players earn. If the money wasn't there would they still enjoy playing for their country ? It is something that I have always loved. I have always wanted to play for Man United and I've always wanted to play for my country and I am doing both. I couldn't be happier."

Playing wide right for United has brought Beckham a host of rave reviews over the past three years but he feels the best is yet to come and is contemplating a new positional challenge in the sides he plays for.

"As long as I'm playing I don't care where I'm playing. I do enjoy playing in the middle and I was given that chance in the European Cup final so it was special to me. I have been playing all year on the right and I have enjoyed it and that people have said I've been doing well. As long as I am involved in the team then that is all that matters.." Personally I prefer inside but I have set up so many goals this season playing on the right so I have enjoyed that as well. As long as I am providing crosses and doing what I can to get other people goals then I enjoy any position but I do probably prefer the middle more."

In the middle you are more involved in the game, you get more of the ball and you can see more around you. On the right there is only a few balls you can play - whip it in or I can knock it into the middle."

"Sweden are a very good time. They must be a good team because they beat England 2-1 the last time we played them. We have got great players and we are a good team too so I am sure it will be an interesting game."

Beckham's driving dsiplay at the centre of the Uniuted midfiedl against bayern Munich earned plaudite from across Europe and he was revealed last month to be richest player in the world after Inter star Ronaldo.

"It's is always nice to be respected as a footballer. I am going to go out and enjoy the game and if I can set one or two goals up then so be it - I would love to."

"Whatever I do on or off the pitch people are going to say things - whether good or bad- I can live with that as long as I am doing what I can on the pitch. I love little kids looking up to me, young players looking up to me, respecting me. It is something I have always done since a youngster. I looked up to great players like Bryan Robson and Bobby Charlton. That is how I want to be looked at. I don't want to be looked at with people saying horrible things about me off the pitch either." The burdens of fame - he arrived to meet reporters amid a crowd of photographers with camera crews and autograph hunters - are something he now feels well able to cope with.

"Is there any privacy for me ? In my own home when the curtains are closed but apart from that that's it. There are so many people trying to get into my life - a piece of me - but I have come to terms with it and I accept that really now. It has gone of for the whole year since the summer. I have grown up and I am enjoying the things that are going on at the moment."