David Beckham believes helping England to secure the World Cup would be as good as winning silverware as a player.
Beckham, who played a role in London clinching the Olympics, was at Wembley for the launch of the bid for the 2018 and 2022 events.
After winning the Champions League with Manchester United and La Liga with Real Madrid, Beckham feels it would be just as satisfying to help bring the world's biggest tournament to England.
"It would be up there with winning and the success I've had in my career because to be part of a successful bid, like I was with the Olympics, would be a huge honour," he said.
"There is politics in all different sports throughout the world and I know how difficult it was getting the Olympics to our country.
"The World Cup is a different ball game. It will be difficult, there will be hard work and lots of ups and downs along the way but the end result is the most important thing. If we get what we want and get the World Cup to our country then we'll prove that it will be a success.
"From speaking to many players that I've played with, I've played with some of the biggest and best in the world and all they talk about is the passion and atmosphere that is shown at England games and games against teams from England.
"We, as a country, are always ready for big competitions. If someone was to say next week we'll stage a tournament in England, I don't think there are many other countries who would be ready to facilitate that."
Wayne Rooney would be 32 if England are successful - and he dreams of winning the World Cup at Wembley after hearing stories from Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton about triumphing on home soil.
"Sir Bobby is one of the legends and when he speaks about playing for England in the World Cup in front of his own fans, it's only something you can dream of," he said.
"I'm sure the support from fans will drive us on and give us a good opportunity of winning it. If that happened, I wouldn't be able to describe it.
"Growing up and watching England, then playing for England, it's an emotional thing and something I am really proud of. To win a World Cup, not just myself and my family but the whole country, would be something special.
"The fans follow us everywhere in their thousands all over the world. They wouldn't have to travel too far for this."
After winning the Champions League with Manchester United and La Liga with Real Madrid, Beckham feels it would be just as satisfying to help bring the world's biggest tournament to England.
"It would be up there with winning and the success I've had in my career because to be part of a successful bid, like I was with the Olympics, would be a huge honour," he said.
"There is politics in all different sports throughout the world and I know how difficult it was getting the Olympics to our country.
"The World Cup is a different ball game. It will be difficult, there will be hard work and lots of ups and downs along the way but the end result is the most important thing. If we get what we want and get the World Cup to our country then we'll prove that it will be a success.
"From speaking to many players that I've played with, I've played with some of the biggest and best in the world and all they talk about is the passion and atmosphere that is shown at England games and games against teams from England.
"We, as a country, are always ready for big competitions. If someone was to say next week we'll stage a tournament in England, I don't think there are many other countries who would be ready to facilitate that."
Wayne Rooney would be 32 if England are successful - and he dreams of winning the World Cup at Wembley after hearing stories from Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton about triumphing on home soil.
"Sir Bobby is one of the legends and when he speaks about playing for England in the World Cup in front of his own fans, it's only something you can dream of," he said.
"I'm sure the support from fans will drive us on and give us a good opportunity of winning it. If that happened, I wouldn't be able to describe it.
"Growing up and watching England, then playing for England, it's an emotional thing and something I am really proud of. To win a World Cup, not just myself and my family but the whole country, would be something special.
"The fans follow us everywhere in their thousands all over the world. They wouldn't have to travel too far for this."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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