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LOS ANGELES: David Beckham, still elated from the Los Angeles Galaxy's MLS Cup triumph on Sunday, said he won't rush into any decisions about his footballing future.
The 36-year-old former England captain said he had plenty to occupy his mind in the coming days – starting with a night of celebration after the Galaxy defeated Houston Dynamo 1-0 to win Major League Soccer's title match.
“We'll have a good night tonight for sure,” Beckham said. After that, he insisted, “There's no rush.”
“I'm not in a rush to decide what happens. We go on tour next weekend. We're going to enjoy that, enjoy this week because we worked so hard to get to this point.”
The Galaxy launch an Asian tour on November 30 in Indonesia. They play in the Philippines on December 3 and in Australia on December 6.
Beckham's five-year contract with Los Angeles expires on December 31.
The Galaxy would like to convince him to stay on for at least another season, while French club Paris Saint-Germain have also expressed interest in the 36-year-old midfielder.
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said there was no wrong decision for the player who has now won titles in every league in which he has played full-time – six with Manchester United in England and one with Real Madrid in Spain.
“David's a champion,” Arena said. “This guy's as good as it comes. He's done it all now in every country he's been in. What more can you say about a guy like this and what he has brought to this organization and this league.
“I think whatever he decides to do – I think he's got three choices: He stays at LA, he plays elsewhere, or he doesn't play again. Whatever he decides to do, he's earned it.
“If he decides to get on his horse and ride into the sunset, he's earned it.”
Beckham's future has been a hot topic in the week leading up to the MLS Cup title match. Beckham has repeatedly said how much he and his family have enjoyed living in Los Angeles, where he and wife, Victoria, fit right in with Hollywood's A-list celebrities.
But he insisted he hasn't made a decision and cautioned those who have parsed his comments this week looking for clues. “I need to sit back and relax and enjoy this moment and then figure out what I'm going to do,” Beckham said. “I might talk in past tense on occasion, but it doesn't mean I'm not coming back.”
Not that he is surprised by the speculation.
“Of course, people are always going to speculate,” he said. “The first year that I was with Real Madrid, I was going to Chelsea every weekend.”
Beckham has been outspoken about one goal for 2012 – to represent Britain at the London Olympics.
“I was always proud to be part of the bidding team that brought the Olympics to not just England but to a part of London where I grew up,” he said.
“I'd love to be part of the GB team. If it's not part of the team I'll be a fan taking my children to watch the Olympics.
While Beckham was keeping his professional options open, he did admit to one definite fixture in his immediate future.
“I've got school drop-off at eight o'clock,” the father of four said.
