Beckham determined to keep playing

David Beckham says he has no plans to retire from football and is flattered by interest in his next move after Los Angeles Galaxy.

Beckham has been Major League Soccer since 2007, winning the MLS Cup in a 1-0 final victory over Houston Dynamo in 2011.

The former England captain announced in October this season would be his last in LA, sparking intense speculation over his next move.

“As for the future I said last week that I have got some interesting, exciting options on the table,” Beckham told reporters.

“I’m very flattered by some of the options that I’ve got. I still feel like I can play and I’m not considering retiring.”

Beckham has a chance to add to his considerable trophy haul when Galaxy and Houston meet again in the 2012 MLS Cup final on Saturday, set to be the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid man’s farewell.

“I’m quite an emotional person so I know that I will feel more emotion probably the day of the game and maybe even the night before the game,” he said.

“I’m just really excited about the game, to be in a third MLS Cup final and especially a second one that is being played in our own stadium. I’m excited and it’s going to be special.”

Beckham’s arrival at LA Galaxy in 2007 was heralded as having the potential to transform the sport’s profile in the United States, although it remains to be seen how much impact the veteran made on football’s standing in a congested marketplace.

“I’ve said it all along, I think it is down to other people to decide what my own impact on the game here is and the impact on the sport,” he said.

“I always said from day one that when I came here there was always going to be a certain amount of interest and certain amount of interest around the world.

“When I’ve been back to Europe and when I go back to England, especially at Christmas, I’m watching Sky Sports and they’re talking about the MLS and they are talking about (LA) Galaxy, Seattle (Sounders) and (New York) Red Bulls, there’s interest there now.

“If that’s what I’ve brought to this league then great. Hopefully it is in a great position now to continue to grow.”