David Beckham has hit back at suggestions that
he might be selected for the British Olympic football team at the London Games
because of his celebrity status rather than on merit alone.
Beckham went back to school with Lord Coe on Friday, as he spoke to children at the Experimental University School of Athens.
'I've never said it's disrespectful but it's kind of a question I've always felt is,' the former England captain told reporters.
'Throughout my career I've been pretty successful and played for some pretty big teams, and managers without sentiment.
'When you've played for managers like Alex Ferguson and Fabio Capello and Sven-Goran Eriksson, they don't pick players because they want to fill the stadium with people or sell shirts.
'I don't want to be picked on a shirt sale or a stadium filler,' added the 37-year-old LA Galaxy player, part of a London delegation in the Greek capital to bring the Olympic flame back to Britain.
'I want to be picked because of what I can bring to the team,' said the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player.
Beckham, a global sporting celebrity who drew one of the loudest cheers of the night when he arrived at Thursday's formal flame handover ceremony and was introduced as 'Sir David',
is no longer in contention for a place in the England side.
However he is strongly tipped to be one of three 'over-age' players in the first united British side to compete at an Olympics since 1960.
(Greek presidential guards dressed in traditional attire)
'Everyone knows I love representing my country,
East London-born, and growing up not far from the new Olympic Park in Stratford, Beckham said it would be truly special if he could ultimately carry the torch through London.
He will be flying home with Lord Coe and Princess Anne, as the flame comes to Britain. He has yet to be told whether he will be carrying the torch on a leg of the relay, but he will light the first cauldron in Britain after stepping off the plane in Cornwall.
my question?
how a handsome football player can buy a Sir title and escort a princess?
of course it's something only Victoria knows! well done Vick!
xoxo M
Beckham went back to school with Lord Coe on Friday, as he spoke to children at the Experimental University School of Athens.
'I've never said it's disrespectful but it's kind of a question I've always felt is,' the former England captain told reporters.
'Throughout my career I've been pretty successful and played for some pretty big teams, and managers without sentiment.
'When you've played for managers like Alex Ferguson and Fabio Capello and Sven-Goran Eriksson, they don't pick players because they want to fill the stadium with people or sell shirts.
'I don't want to be picked on a shirt sale or a stadium filler,' added the 37-year-old LA Galaxy player, part of a London delegation in the Greek capital to bring the Olympic flame back to Britain.
'I want to be picked because of what I can bring to the team,' said the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player.
Beckham, a global sporting celebrity who drew one of the loudest cheers of the night when he arrived at Thursday's formal flame handover ceremony and was introduced as 'Sir David',
is no longer in contention for a place in the England side.
However he is strongly tipped to be one of three 'over-age' players in the first united British side to compete at an Olympics since 1960.
'Everyone knows I love representing my country,
East London-born, and growing up not far from the new Olympic Park in Stratford, Beckham said it would be truly special if he could ultimately carry the torch through London.
He will be flying home with Lord Coe and Princess Anne, as the flame comes to Britain. He has yet to be told whether he will be carrying the torch on a leg of the relay, but he will light the first cauldron in Britain after stepping off the plane in Cornwall.
my question?
how a handsome football player can buy a Sir title and escort a princess?
of course it's something only Victoria knows! well done Vick!
xoxo M
