Beckham defends England bonuses

Beckham launches football school

David Beckham believes the bonuses England players stand to receive at the 2006 World Cup are justified.

Reports claimed that players stand to earn up to £300,000 each should they win the tournament, although Beckham says the figure is not as high.

"The truth is that we're earning less for this World Cup than the last one," he told the Evening Standard newspaper.

"The FA make money and the players always get bonuses. If we do not succeed then the money is not there."

The England captain added: "I know for a fact that every one of the players in our team would play for our country for nothing.

"There is money in football and we talk about bonuses every time a big competition comes around - and there is always criticism of the players when bonuses are agreed.

You don't dream of playing in it because you can make loads of money Beckham on the World Cup

"But money isn't the motivation - not at all. When you are a 15-year-old watching the World Cup, you don't dream of playing in it because you can make loads of money.

"Players don't think like that, you want to be there to play on that stage."

The 30-year-old, who was at the launch of the David Beckham Academy in Greenwich, London, also criticised Manchester United over Roy Keane's sudden exit from Old Trafford.

He said the departure of 34-year-old Keane mirrored the way he left United before joining Real Madrid in a £25m transfer.

"Maybe United think that's the best way, out before you know it. I'm not sure I agree," Beckham told The Times.

"I remember saying after I left that I would love to say goodbye and thank the manager and at least get a handshake."

Beckham said the abruptness of his exit meant he never had a chance to say goodbye to his former colleagues.

"People criticised me for that, saying 'get on with it, it's football and that's how it is', but I had lived half my life there and I never said goodbye," he said.

"I have never been back to play there with Madrid or for a United match. It is not easy because I live in Spain now, but I would love to go back and see people."