aqx's P.R.I.D.E

I have lived the dream, I am extremely proud to have worn the armband
and been captain of England and for that I will always be grateful.

                                                                                        ─ David Beckham, 2 Jul 2006,
                                                                                             FIFA WC, Germany.

7  BECKHAM, DAVID  Date of birth:   2 May 1975 Height:  182 cm Weight:  74 kg Position:  Midfielder Current Club:  Real Madrid (ESP) Int'l Goals:   17 (as of 1-Jul-2006) Int'l Caps:  94 (as of 1-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap:  Moldova v. England ( 1-Sep-1996)

With tears in his eyes, the former Manchester United player said: "On 15 November 2000 Peter Taylor gave me the greatest honour of my career in making me the captain of England, fulfilling my childhood dream. It has been an honour and a privilege to have captained our country and I wantto stress that I wish to continue to play for England and look forward tohelping both the new captain and Steve McClaren in any way I can." "I came to this decision some time ago but I had hoped to announce it on the back of a successful World Cup. Sadly that wasn't to be. "This decision has been the most difficult of my career to date. But after discussing it with my family and those closest to me I feel the time is right. "Our performance during this World Cup has not been enough to progress further and both myself and all the players regret that and are hurt by that more than people realise. "I wish to thank all the players for their support during my time as captain, as well as Peter Taylor, Sven and all the coaches. "I would also like to thank the press and, of course, all the England supporters who have both been great to me and my team-mates. I want them to know for me it has been an absolute honour. "Finally, I have lived the dream, I am extremely proud to have worn the armband and been captain of England and for that I will always be grateful."

能成為我們國家的隊長，是一份榮譽也是榮幸，
而我也要強調我希望未來還能繼續為英格蘭效力，
以任何的形式從旁協助新隊長，以及 Steven McLaren。

前些時候，我就已經做了這個決定，
但我總希望能在有這次世界盃的勝果背書下宣布。
然而很遺憾這無法實現。

這是我足球生涯至今最艱難的決定。
但在與家人以及與自己最親密的幾個人討論過後，
認為如今是最恰當的時機。

本屆世界盃我們的表現不足以帶領我們到更遠的地方，
我本人以及其他所有球員都感到十分悔恨，
並且為此而受的打擊遠超大眾所能體會。

我要感謝所有的球員，在我擔任隊長的期間對我的支持，
同時也感謝 Peter Taylor、Sven 及所有的教練們。

我也要感謝媒體，還有當然的，
所有喜愛我，以及我隊友的英格蘭國家代表隊支持者。
我要他們知道，這對我而言是至高無上的榮耀。

最後，我已實現夢想，
我為我曾經戴上臂章，擔任英格蘭的隊長感到無比的驕傲。
而我將為此永遠心存感激。



Thank you David, for all your wonderful years of captaincy....