David Beckham resigns as captain of England football team

July 2, 2006

David Beckham, a football player for England and the Real Madrid football club, has announced he no longer wishes to be the captain of England's football team. After the teams loss to Portugal in yesterday's (1 July 2006) World Cup quarter-final, Beckham announced at a press conference at the team's training camp in Germany that he stands down from his position of captain immediately but would remain a part of the England team.

"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," he said.

Beckham became the captain in 2000 by caretaker manager Peter Taylor. He had served 58 games of the 92 he has played as the national captain.