Center

Beckham: I will emulate my 'hero'

(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-09 16:50

David Beckham will lead England in his 90th international match against Paraguay on Saturday -- emulating his childhood hero and hoping he'll help end his country's recent poor run of opening results.

England soccer captain David Beckham talks to the media at their World Cup training camp at the Mittelbergstadion near Baden-Baden in Germany, June 8, 2006. [Reuters]

In Frankfurt, Beckham will equal the England appearance record of Bryan Robson, who he describes as "an idol and a hero."

"I always wanted to emulate everything he had done in his career and Saturday is another one to tick off -- things he has done and I have achieved," Beckham said. "It's a proud moment for me."

Beckham will only have four players ahead of him on England's all-time list -- Billy Wright (105), Bobby Charlton (106), Bobby Moore (108) and Peter Shilton (125).

"I'd love to carry on playing and reach Shilton's record," Beckham said. "We'll see. I've always said I'd love to get over that hundred cap mark and see what happens after that."

In 2004, England lost its European Championship opener to France and at the 2002 World Cup it drew 1-1 with Sweden. At Euro 2000, England lost 3-2 to Portugal. It last won a tournament opener at the 1998 World Cup, 2-0 over Tunisia.

"Football's funny sometimes," Beckham said. "We do struggle. Even if we win games in the opener, the performances are not as good as they can be or as they have been in other games. I don't know, but hopefully that changes Saturday."