Beckham, Owen plan long Madrid stays as English eye Colombia

England stars David Beckham, pictured, and Michael Owen are planning for long stays with Real Madrid, although Beckham has said on the eve of his US debut that he might one day play for an American side.

England stars David Beckham and Michael Owen are planning for long stays with Real Madrid, although Beckham has said on the eve of his US debut that he might one day play for an American side.

Beckham and Owen joined an England side that has lost veteran defender Sol Campbell to a swollen left ankle for Tuesday's friendly against Colombia at nearby East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Beckham said talks on a contract extension with the Spanish giants could begin in the next few weeks. The former Manchester United star left no doubt that a return to an English club is not in his thoughts.

"Since I signed with Real Madrid, I'm happy there and want to finish my career there," Beckham said. "I have two years left on my contract."

Beckham did not rule out the possibility of playing for a US club one day, trying to serve as an ambassador of the sport much the way Pele did in his final seasons.

"Yes, one day that could happen," he said. "I've learned to never say no, never say never. I never thought I would leave Manchester United. But I did. I love America. I have been on holidays many times to Los Angeles and New York.

"So anything can happen."

Beckham began trying to heal the US-England rift over American billionaire Malcolm Glazer's purchase of a controlling interest in Manchester United, although Red Devils fans will be smarting for some time to come.

"There was a lot of discussion going on here and in England. I read a lot of stories about how they feel about him taking over," Beckham said.

"They are a massive club. They have the best players and a great manager. I'm sure the fans will be OK with it when they know more about it."

Real Madrid's Michael Owen (R) vies with Villarreal's Armando Sa (L) during their Spanish League football match at the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, April 23, 2005. England stars David Beckham and Owen are planning for long stays with Real Madrid, although Beckham has said on the eve of his US debut that he might one day play for an American side.

Owen, a former Liverpool star who watched his ex-teammates make a miracle comeback to win the Champions League final over AC Milan, also made it clear that he plans to stay with Real Madrid despite rumors he might return to England.

"It's only speculation about my future," he said. "I'm getting used to the language. I'm quite happy to be in Madrid.

"It's a fantastic team with incredible facilities. I have no regrets from my side in joining them."

Owen, 25, said he was happy to see Liverpool's rally from a 3-0 deficit even though he was no longer on the squad.

"It was fantastic. It was really unbelievable. Amazing. All those goals. It was incredible," Owen said. "It happens once in a lifetime. How often does a team let a three-goal lead slip by?

"Italian defences have a history of not giving away much. But as I said, it's a once in a lifetime thing. It's like in boxing when a guy is knocked down three times and he gets up to win."

Beckham, 30, also lauded Liverpool's effort.

"I was personally proud as an Englishman to see what Liverpool did," he said. "I'm not the jealous type. It was thrilling to see what happened and I think that every Englishman would have got goosebumps watching that."

Beckham, whose son Brooklyn is named after a neighborhood of this city, will open a youth football academy in Los Angeles later this week modeled after one he runs in London.

"Football is a massive thing and I think the academy is a good thing," he said. "It gives some kids an opportunity and a chance for us to produce stars."

With an eye toward the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Beckham said he would not feel unfulfilled if England was unable to capture a major crown under his captaincy.

"It would be disappointing," he said. "It would be special if we did win something but it would not be unfulfilled."

Beckham said he has a key role with the young players who are making a run at a spot on England's squad for next year's World Cup.

"It's important as a captain for them to talk to me about any of their problems," he said.

"It's great they're getting their chance to be capped but sometimes it's better to learn the ropes on your own. Then when there is a problem you can talk to the other experienced players or the captain."

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who made it clear that Beckham is his clear top choice for captain, is pleased at the contrast in styles his team will face compared to the Americans whom England beat 2-1 Saturday in Chicago.

Eriksson said he sees no danger of injuries from the Giants Stadium pitch and warned that when England's lineup becomes healthy, they will be a test for any club on the planet.

"If we have all the players fit, we can compete with any team in the world," he said. "But we've not yet qualified for the World Cup and first we must qualify. Then you need two things to happen - no injuries and a little luck."