Beckham learning the language of commitment

David Beckham flashed a nervous smile, looked down at his feet and began. "El partido con Atletico was mucho mejor para todos," he stuttered. The game against Atletico was much better for all of us.

David Beckham flashed a nervous smile, looked down at his feet and began. "El partido con Atletico was mucho mejor para todos," he stuttered. The game against Atletico was much better for all of us.

His first words in Spanish in public since his arrival at Real Madrid last year were greeted with a momentary silence, and then a spontaneous round of applause from the massed ranks of journalists at the club's training ground in Las Rozas.

Beckham blushed like an embarrassed schoolboy and continued his analysis of Saturday's 3-0 victory over Atletico. Despite a host of errors he made a pretty good fist of it, and joined the ranks of expats who have experienced the difficulties and pitfalls of learning a new language.

This small gesture was deeply significant for the England captain, a player who has come under severe pressure after a dismal end to his first season in Spain and a string of subdued performances for club and country. It was a statement of commitment that he is determined to make a success of his new life in the Spanish capital. That commitment was backed up by his words in English too.

"The criticism will always be there," he said. "If you have a bad game your career is finished, or you are too old even though you're only 29. I believe I've still got five or six years left in football and I'm still enjoying it. I'm not playing my best, but I suppose the European Championships didn't help with missing a couple of penalties. People said the reason I didn't play was because of personal things in my life, but as far as I am concerned I've just got to keeping work hard."

Beckham poured cold water on reports that he was pining for a return to the Premiership, insisting that his long-term future remained in Spain and that he would gladly accept any offer of an extension to his contract which ends in 2007. "If I was to extend my contract here I would never complain," he said. "I'm at one of the biggest clubs in the world. It hasn't been mentioned to me yet but I'm very happy here. My team-mates are great to me and they look after me on and off the pitch."

Although he admitted he was concerned about his form, Beckham said he did not fear for his England place and welcomed the competition from the young Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. "He is one of the best young talents in England and Europe and he deserves the chance he is obviously going to get with the England team. I don't pick the team but if the manager wants to put me in the middle, or if I stay on the right or Shaun plays somewhere else, then that's fine. As England captain I'm pleased to see players like him coming through."

Beckham also heaped complements on England team mate Steven Gerrard who has been touted as a Real Madrid target for next season. "For me Steven Gerrard is one of the best central midfielders in the world. "If he stays at Liverpool he is still going to be a great player. He could bring so much to a team like Real Madrid, he brings so much to every team that he plays in."