Beckham plans no Europe loan deal after MLS season

David Beckham has not given up hope of playing football for England again but the star midfielder is not planning to play for a European club in a loan deal after the Major League Soccer playoffs.

Beckham, who missed the 2010 World Cup with a ruptured Achilles tendon, told FIFA in an interview posted on the global governing body’s website that he is not looking to go back to Europe once the US league’s season ends in November.

“I don?t think so,” Beckham said. “I’ll never say never, but after my injury I need to really focus on getting my full fitness back. Physically I need to get myself back in order after a very long time out of the game.

“I can’t say for sure but I guess we?ll just have to wait and see.”

Beckham said that he does not think he has played his last match in an England football jersey.

“But whether it?s over or not is not really down to me,” Beckham said. “I want to continue to be available to play for England. That?s all I can do. I am passionate about playing for my country and I have been for 15 years now.

“Whether the road is over or not, I don?t really know, but I will continue to work hard to get my fitness right because that?s the important bit at the moment. Once I?ve done that, we?ll know more.”

Beckham made his first start since the injury last week in a loss to New York, but played the full 90 minutes after going for 20 and 40 minutes in reserve roles earlier this month.

“It’s great to be on from the start again. It?s really tough being out for six months and not being able to play,” Beckham said.

“When you get an injury that keeps you out for a long stretch, you have to stay focused on getting yourself better and it’s always a relief when you get back to doing what you love.”

With 15 triumphs and five draws in 26 matches, the Galaxy have the best record in the 16-team US league as the playoffs near, although Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas are both within four points.

“I believe we can pull through and go all the way to win the league,” said Beckham. “We’ve already qualified for the play-offs. Now we need to keep it going to clinch first place and give ourselves home-pitch advantage.”