OUTCAST: Truth behind Beckham's US move

DAVID BECKHAM went through such agony over his decision to move to Los Angeles that he wept tears of despair, the News of the World can reveal.

Goldenballs was desperate to stay in top flight football in Europe.

But he was persuaded to go to America by wife Victoria, who convinced him it would mean a better life for them and their three boys.

Our source revealed: "David has been crying about leaving Real and leaving his career behind as he has known it.

"He said he's had to put eye packs on his eyes to reduce the swelling over the past few weeks. But now that he has finally come to terms with the fact that he's going, and that he feels it's the best thing for his family, he is getting excited."

Beckham's staggering £128million move to the LA Galaxy team was meant to happen in August, after his contract at Madrid runs out.

But Madrid boss Fabio Capello ruled Beckham would never play for the club again.

BECKS WAR - Furious Real kick him out

That means Galaxy may now try to take Beckham to LA as early as April, when their season starts.

As Capello spoke, a bra-less Victoria was boarding a Heathrow flight to LA to hunt for houses. A friend said: "As far as she's concerned, the move can't come soon enough."

Beckham had wanted a return to the Premiership if a new deal with Real did not happen.

But Victoria feared the former England hero would be humiliated, asking: "Can you really see us in Bolton?" A close pal of the couple revealed: "David wanted desperately to get back into the England team and the Premiership.

"But Victoria convinced him it would be better for their boys, their security and future to go to Los Angeles. His decision was swung by the fact his sons will have a better life."

We can reveal Becks' move has been a done deal since September.

Eldest son Brooklyn, seven, is already enrolled at the highly-regarded Brentwood private day school in Bel-Air and will start at the end of August. Applications for new pupils had to be submitted last October.

The school has 250 applicants for each of its 45 places in Brooklyn's year, charging £10,950 a year rising to £12,810 a year from the seventh grade.

The source said: "Victoria says the school is wonderful and will be perfect."

Son Romeo, four, is too young for US schools while Cruz is just a year old.

The Beckhams' move has been supported every step of the way by best pals Tom Cruise and wife Katie Holmes.

Becks, 31, has been friends with Cruise since 2003 when he invited the actor to watch him play for Madrid after his move from Man United. He admits spending hours on the phone to Cruise discussing the move.

The Cruises, both followers of the weirdo Scientology religion, have already arranged a summer party packed with A-list stars in the Beckhams' honour. Steven Spielberg and Jennifer Lopez are said to be on the guest list.

Katie has helped Posh sort out everything from security to home help and even which charities to support.

The Beckhams' six-strong security team includes at least one practising Scientologist, a female bodyguard who has previously looked after Katie and, before that, Tom's ex Nicole Kidman.

Katie has already arranged a maid from a Spanish-speaking country in Central America. The source said: "David is keen not to lose all the Spanish he has learned and wants Brooklyn to keep up his Spanish too."

Katie has also told Victoria the "correct" good cause to support in Hollywood circles, the St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, similar to the UK's Great Ormond Street.

Victoria, 32, is said to be hunting for an eight-bedroom home in Beverly Hills. Our source said: "She wants one with indoor and outdoor pools and a gym."

Amid all her excitement, Victoria has been warned that she will have to "hold onto her husband."

The source said: "LA is full of the world's most beautiful, slim and sexy young girls and she knows David has a roving eye.

"She's told him she will be watching him but David just laughs and tells her she's more beautiful than any of the girls in LA."

David Beckham: his ex-mistress, Rebecca Loos became housewife in Norway

The former mistress of David Beckham has deserted the reality TV shows to retrain in the Norwegian woman home, adept cross country skiing and hiking.

In 2004, Rebecca Loos proclaimed to anyone who would listen that David Beckham was "a fantastic lover." Ignoring at the time of the person of the woman, Victoria Beckham , their two children and their five years of marriage. David denied in vain. The one who was the personal assistant to the footballer had assured the cover of many magazines and tickets to reality TV shows, red carpet more or less famous, exposing all smiles, his attributes in pieces of very low-cut fabrics. Then the bimbo had fallen into the dustbin of the tabloids.

The Beckhams survived. Rebecca Loos also. Twelve years after "case", one discovers that the sultry mistress lives of love, hiking and yoga in Norway , between her physician husband, Sven, her two children and her blonde bitch, Mila. Instagram presents itself as a "passionate mother and wife." Finished necklines, Rebecca became a woman Quechua, subscribes to polar zip and wool caps. But what has happened?

Children and home first

The new Becca confided to Daily Mail . "I will not be spending $ 2,000 on a Chanel bag or $ 600 in a pair of Louboutin. I do two manicurists and I'm three times a year at the hairdresser (...) I focus on my house. "While her husband is at work doctor, Rebecca" cleans the house, cleans the bathroom, made ​​to eat every night and dishes, "said she proudly.

A hermit's life that does not seem to suffice, since Rebecca launched a lifestyle blog about his life of "Nordic domestic goddess", as nicknamed the Daily Mail . His Instagram account in offering a first glimpse: walks in the mountains , walking with children, skiing, yoga sessions in a chalet. Today, the housewife has a rather indulgent look on his past bimbo and says he has no regrets. "If I had not known, I would not have been invited in TV shows, where I met my husband, Sven, and I would not have had my lovely boys. "

Rebecca Loos gives damning verdict on her ex Becks (and that pig)

LOVE rat David Beckham's former mistress Rebecca Loos last night urged cheated wife Posh to finally give England's captain the boot.

In her first newspaper interview since fresh allegations that Becks had a fling with beautician Danielle Heath, Rebecca said if she was married to the soccer star, she'd have shown him the red card long ago.

Beckham has denied the latest rumours. Rebecca, his former personal assistant,whose steamy fling with her boss was exposed by the News of the World in April, told us: "Everybody knows how David cheated on Victoria with me. Any self-respecting woman would leave him.

"But the Victoria I saw when I worked for them will hang on in there.

"I'm certain it will collapse in the end though. She can't be happy. If it was me I'd have left him ages ago. I think any woman would have. And Victoria will too in the end, I'm sure."

Split

Rebecca, who came third on Channel 5's reality show The Farm, added: "I thought I was David's first affair. But then the News of the World revealed model Sarah Marbeck, who said she was with David before me.

"I hope the marriage will survive for the sake of the children. But I'm afraid a split seems inevitable."

Rebecca repeatedly refused to talk about Becks during her time on The Farm.

But last night she let rip AND gave us her exclusive outspoken rundown on her TV co-stars, including the pig which plunged her into more controversy when she had to pleasure it to collect semen for artificial insemination!

"At first I said no to that," Rebecca insisted. "Then it was explained that it happens thousands of times a day on farms. Most pork is bred this way.

"So if people don't approve, they shouldn't eat pork! I just made a few jokes, put on some gloves and got on with it."

Returning to the Beckham scandal, Rebecca called for the Real Madrid ace's mum, Sandra, to get more involved in his life.

"Sandra's lovely but Victoria's parents have always ruled the roost," she saidjust after news broke that Posh's dad Tony Adams was giving up his own business to work for his daughter. "They plan the Beckhams' lives for them, even handling the finances. It was excruciating to see. They really did believe they were part of the Beckham showbiz entourage.

"When I was working for David and Victoria I'd get them discounts from designer shops. Then her parents would latch on and ask me to do the same for them.

"It was so embarrassing. Most of the shops would refuse. But David's in-laws always wanted control and edged Sandra out. I'm so glad she has found her voice and started hitting back."

Life in the spotlight has proved a mixed blessing for 27-year-old Rebecca, daughter of a Dutch diplomat. She has made numerous TV appearances and hosted her own chat show in Holland. But she can't find love. "I haven't really had a relationship since the David stuff," she confessed.

"It's affected my sex life. I now feel very self-conscious with men. I find it difficult to completely relax and open up with somebody. I'm constantly thinking, ‘Oh God, what's he read about me?'

"I don't regret going public on David but it's altered me. And him, too. He looks sadder and has lost his sparkle.

"We saw each other a few weeks ago, briefly. I was with my parents in their car on the main street into Madrid.

"We were at traffic lights and David's Audi pulled up beside ours. Victoria was in the car with him. I looked and David looked at me, then turned away very quickly and drove off.

"It was a split second, but in that moment he looked sad and different. It was as if I'd never known him."

Who's the farm animal

AFTER three weeks on Channel Five's The Farm Rebecca was ready to dig the dirt—on her co-stars. Footballer STAN COLLYMORE(right): "He has incredible sex appeal but nothing happened. I won't let his past get in the way of our friendship. I can't slag him off because I have no reason to." Winner JEFF BRAZIER: "Loved him to bits like a sweet younger brother. A real grafter." Socialite LADY VICTORIA HERVEY(right): "She was cold at first but we soon started sharing clothes and make-up and ended up getting along fine." Actress MARGI CLARKE: "Crazy, wild, spiritual, hilarious, unique and a fabulous figure!" TV host TERRY CHRISTIAN: "Loved his dry sense of humour. He hates Posh so we had something in common!" Rapper VANILLA ICE(right) : "He was a complete and utter w*****! He only ever thinks of himself. One of the most artificial people I've met." Five singer RITCHIE NEVILLE: "A very nice guy and a very hard worker who always put himself out. He had real manners." Magician PAUL DANIELS: "A very aggressive man. He launched a savage attack on Vanilla Ice for calling him stupid. Paul went purple in the face. A scary moment!" Paul's wife DEBBIE McGEE(right) : "Very competitive. In the conker match she really wanted to beat me!"

DAVID Beckham has been caught on camera

Laughing, touching shoulders, flirting...what will Posh say?

By Jane Atkinson in Madrid
DAVID Beckham has been caught on camera enjoying two nights on the town in Spain—each time in the company of a stunning brunette.

And while the lonely England captain was enjoying some female company and the bright lights of Madrid his wife Victoria was 800 miles away in London.

Our exclusive pictures show Becks, 28, and the girl—who sources last night claimed could be his Spanish-speaking personal assistant Rebecca Loos— laughing and chatting intimately as they partied shoulder to shoulder in the early hours at the trendy club Ananda.

Nine minutes of video footage taken by an ardent Becks fan shows his hero and the girl, in her twenties, inside Ananda and then leaving together.

One onlooker said: "David clearly loved being in her company. He was totally chilled out and enjoying himself. And the girl was being really flirtatious. He's never been seen looking this relaxed with any woman other than Victoria'.

"He was totally unlike the Becks we became used to seeing in Britain when he was playing for Man Utd under Alex Ferguson—he looked so happy."

The pictures follow the News 's exclusive revelations last week about the Beckhams' long-distance marriage crisis.

Escape

The couple issued a statement insisting everything was fine. But since David's £25million move from Manchester United, Posh has been with Becks for only around 35 days out of a possible 89.

David's night out with the brunette came 10 days ago on Thursday, September 18. It began at Beckham's hotel—the five-star Santo Mauro in central Madrid, when they set off for an exclusive restaurant nearby, The Thai Garden.

Our source told us: "They arrived at the restaurant at about 9.30pm in David's grey Audi car with three bodyguards.

"David and the girl then sat at a table together while the minders waited outside.

"Becks and his companion looked close as they laughed and smiled, spending hours over dinner. David was wearing a strange big woolly hat like people with dreadlocks do."

After their meal Becks was tipped off that photographers were waiting outside so an elaborate escape plan was hatched.

The pair vanished out of the back door, down passageways, through the rear of a nearby jeweller's shop—after the owner had been called to open up specially— and back onto the street.

They arrived at the Ananda club around 12.30am where security men smuggled them in and ushered them through the crowds to a candlelit VIP area.

On the videotape the girl is wearing jeans, a low-cut vest top and a dark shawl. Becks is also in jeans with a T-shirt over a long-sleeved dark top.

He is often approached by well-wishers who greet him warmly. He is happy to talk to them, but his attention quickly turns back to his girl pal. At one point she lights up a cigarette. Non-smoker Becks doesn't appear to mind at all.

When the girl gets up to talk to some clubbers a blonde friend sits next to the star. Becks warmly greets the new girl by playfully squeezing her thigh. He catches her by surprise and she says: "Oh my God!" in English.

At around 3.30am Becks and the brunette leave the club together and the video shows them walking back to their Audi. The group were then driven back to the hotel. The following night the soccer ace was out again—with a girl strikingly similar to his Thursday companion.

Another onlooker told us: "David's Audi emerged from the underground hotel car park around 9.30pm with him at the wheel. He drove to the Old Town of Madrid, parked and then walked about 15 minutes with the girl and two men to a restaurant where they all sat at the same table.

" They left at 11.10pm and walked back to the car together. A little boy came up to David and they started to kick a ball around.

"Becks seemed really relaxed about it all, even when people started asking for autographs.

"The girl got into the car's back seat. Then David got in the front, turned and said something to her which set them all laughing as they drove away."

Meanwhile, Posh, 29, was partying, too—but in London with hip hop record producer Damon Dash, who's been masterminding her new album.

Victoria slipped into the Minstry Of Sound club by a side door to join Damon and his crew, including US rapper JAY-Z. She left at 2.30am.

A friend of the Beckhams said: "Victoria is away, so why shouldn't David go out? He had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed himself."

Body language speaks volumes

BY Jules Stenson
AFTER studying our pictures of Beckham and the brunette a top body language expert last night warned wife Victoria: "You'd better watch out!"

Robert Phipps from ITV1's Trisha show, pictured left, watched the News of the World's video tapes of Becks' nights on the town and told us: "All the signs from David are that he is lonely and seeking company.

"Some girl could come along to take Victoria's place. The way he reacted at the club, in particular, showed his loneliness. He was fidgeting and didn't seem at ease at all.

"But the body language suggests the girl is keener on Beckham than he is on her. She is seated with her elbows back and her chest puffed forward. She is saying, ‘Hey, look at my rack.'

"She's also arching her back while speaking to David, which is what a woman does at the height of sex.

"The following evening Becks appears far more relaxed.

"That's obvious from the way he stops to play football with a boy in the street and happily signs autographs for fans." 

The angry phone call that revealed David Beckham's anguish over stay-away Posh

EXCLUSIVE: The angry phone call that revealed David Beckham  anguish over stay-away Posh

Becks: I want you here now!

By Rav Singh
DAVID BECKHAM put his mobile phone to his ear. "I want you here now," he said angrily. "I need my family with me."

Becks was making the crunch call just 24 hours after he and Victoria had issued a statement saying their marriage was NOT in crisis.

But the tone of his voice surprised fellow guests at Madrid's Santo Mauro hotel.

They heard him say: "I've had enough. I'm not taking No for an answer. I need my family with me.

"It's not fair on me.

"I'm trying everything to keep it together."

One hotel guest said: "He was very angry and looked very upset. He's usually very calm and polite to everybody. It was completely out of character."

Later that evening Beckham made another revealing call to a close friend as he made his way to a birthday party for Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo.

"I don't know what to do," Becks said into his phone.

"I want it back as it was. I don't like us arguing all the time.

"I just want to forget the bad times. But I don't know what she's going to do next.

"Things seem to be getting worse."

Chatted

That night, Monday, Becks stayed out until 3.30am—partying with his Real Madrid pals and a string of stunning girls.

At the bash Beckham was said to have chatted to former model Esther Canadas.

Leggy blonde Esther, 27, who is 5ft 10in and a perfect 36-24-36, starred in The Thomas Crown Affair alongside Pierce Brosnan.

The previous evening Esther was said to have been seen at the same nightclub as Becks plus team-mates Robert Carlos, Casillas and Raul Bravo.

That outing prompted Spanish talk show Con T de Tarde to claim Esther was a clear rival to Victoria.

The show alleged that it was "no coincidence" that Esther was out with Beckham.

But a spokeswoman for the leggy model insisted there was nothing to the rumours. She said: "They have met a couple of times, but I don't think they are even that good friends. Esther doesn't feel she has to answer to the allegations. She is innocent."

But another Spanish beauty, Nuria Bermudez, seemed to have far from innocent intentions when she turned up univited at Becks' hotel on Monday night.

Brazen Nuria, 23—known as the Spanish Jordan—claims to have bedded half the Real team, including some of its top stars.

The diehard Real fan has the club badge tattooed on her belly— and has bragged she plans to bed Beckham. She has warned: "Be scared, Victoria. You should be trembling. David Beckham is gorgeous and such a gentleman.

"He will be targeted by women wherever he goes, but I will be first in the queue."

Last weekend Victoria was also out partying — in London. She was photographed with record producer Damon Dash.

But on Tuesday Victoria arrived in Madrid—and dutifully pecked David on the cheek as they tried to show the world there was nothing wrong with their marriage.

But that evening the couple were apart again as Posh went to the Spanish Elle Style Awards.

According to partygoers her face was like thunder and she made sure reporters were banned from the bash. One guest said: "She didn't look happy at all.

"In fact, she was very moody. Her look seemed to warn people to stay out of her way."

The following night the couple again made an open display of their affection when they went for dinner in the Salamanca area.

But just 24 hours later Victoria surprised friends by flying BACK to London. She attended the Lycra British Style Awards to pick up the Best Stylish Singer gong.

A source close to David said: "I can't believe she flew back after what's going on with their marriage. You'd think she would be at his side, not at a party. She's not promoting anything, so it's not as if she had any commitments.

"Things just don't seem to be right with the pair, which is very sad.

"Having said that they have to make time to see each other it doesn't seem to be happening."

David has now been in Spain for 89 days since his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid.

Posh has been with him there for only 35 of those days.

The source continued: "Apart from their marriage it seems Posh's comeback pop career is going pear-shaped.

"Damon Dash is in dispute with her record company Telstar who are arguing about paying him.

"He's fuming and has demanded he gets his money.

"This is the last thing Posh needs. Her personal life isn't rosy at the moment and her career is going the same way.

"Something is going wrong every day at the moment for her.

"Even her publicity stunts are backfiring.

Launches

"She thought coming back here on Thursday for the fashion show and putting on a brave face would kill the rumours.

"In fact they've got worse because people are asking, ‘Why is she back?'"

A source at Telstar explained: "The company spent around £500,000 on the album which had to be shelved.

"Now they want us to foot the bill."

Posh's new manager Simon Fuller is said to be unhappy about the style of the album—and wants her to record a normal pop disc.

The source said: "We may have to start all over again. This will delay her album once again while more money is being spent."

Pop svengali Fuller, who has signed Posh and David as a global brand, is planning a huge international launch for her album, when it's finally released.

The source continued: "There's going to be launches in London, New York and Paris.

"It will not be an ordinary launch, though. There's going to be a fashion-cum-pop concert.

"They've been in talks to get Liz Hurley and Elton John to model the clothes.

"Meanwhile Victoria will perform at the end of each show they do. This hasn't been done before, and with her status she could get any celeb to help her launch the record."

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: David Beckham reveals his true feelings

Becks: I'd rather give up football than quit United

DISTRAUGHT David Beckham last night sensationally confessed: "I'd rather pack in football than leave Manchester United."

In an emotional cry from the heart, Beckham even insisted he'd play for FREE to prove to Sir Alex Ferguson how much he wants to stay at Old Trafford.

The world's most-wanted player was devastated when United publicly confirmed they had accepted a conditional £30million bid from Barcelona, as revealed exclusively in the News of the World.

Now, in another exclusive, we can reveal how Beckham, close to tears, confided: "I'd rather jack it in than leave United.

They're the only team I've ever wanted to play for. I'm absolutely gutted over what's happened."

Beckham revealed his true feelings during an anguished conversation with his closest pal, Dave Gardner. The England captain told his friend that his heart will always belong to United and that he doesn't want to join Barca-or the other clubs battling to sign him, AC Milan and Real Madrid.

Incredibly, he even insisted: "I'll prove to Alex Ferguson my loyalty for the club by playing for free if I have to.

"United have always been my first club and I've had so many years with some of the world's quality players at Old Trafford.

"I don't want to go anywhere and the club confirming talks with Barcelona has left me speechless.

"If the club don't want me that's something beyond my control but my heart is at Old Trafford and I can't believe the way things have snowballed while I've been away."

United's 28-year-old superstar sounded heart-broken as he spoke to Gardner , 26, an ex-United apprentice who now runs a top Manchester-based sports agency.

Gardner told friends: "David is really upset. To say he's far from happy is an understatement.

"All he's ever done is give 100 per cent to the club and the way they're treating him is shocking. "

Beckham's dad, Ted, last week insisted his son hasn't spoken to Ferguson for two months-ever since their notorious dressing room bust-up when the United manager hurled a boot at Becks.

Gardner added: "I don't know why David and Alex haven't spoken for a while. That's their business.

"I'm a friend who cares for him but don't involve myself in club politics.

"But I will say David just can't believe what's happened. If he's got to go then so be it.

"He has alot of friends who care and will support him in whatever decision he makes."

SALUTE SCORING, SCORING ARSENAL

WILL Arsenal go unbeaten this season? Who cares? Arsene Wenger's finest achievement is already in place.

Mention ‘Boring Arsenal' to anyone under 16 and they'll think you've gone crackers.

In five years, one man has altered the entire culture of a football club, messed with its DNA in a way that makes Dolly the Sheep look like Larry the Lamb.

Arsenal's reputation, standing, its perception worldwide has been changed, perhaps for good. Jokes that had endured almost a century, chants that were as much a part of the English game as 1966, the Matthews Final and Bobby Charlton's comb-over have been silenced.

Imagine an event so huge it erased the belief that England always lose penalty shoot-outs.

What would it take? Winning Euro 2017 from the spot? That is the equivalent of Wenger's revolution at Highbury and it is unlikely any manager will have such a seismic effect again.

Arsenal are not just rewriting the record books — they are rewriting their history.

In Auxerre this week, the veteran coach Guy Roux replayed the seven years between matches with Arsenal in barely a second.

"What Arsene Wenger has done represents a sea change in the culture of English football," he said, admiringly.

As the coach who took a team from Division Two of the Burgundy regional league to the later stages of the European Cup, he should know.

Earlier, Roux had been the latest to draw comparisons between Arsenal and Brazil.

He also recalled the previous time the club had visited the Stade Abbe Deschamps, a month after George Graham left in 1995.

Arsenal fielded five defenders, had John Hartson leading the line and won 1-0 through an Ian Wright goal that could not have been repeated had he remained behind practising it until midnight.

The headlines told a familiar story. Lucky Arsenal. These days the tag seems so distant it might as well have been written on parchment.

Tony Adams once told me he came off the field in places like Turin and Paris laughing with Steve Bould that another top side had fallen foul of the old one-nil-to-the-Arsenal trick.

Old Arsenal were infuriatingly dull but effective. "We couldn't believe we got away with it," Adams said.

This season new Arsenal are having a laugh of a different kind abroad. They have so far soundly defeated the league leaders in Germany, Holland and France. Only a brave man would bet against them making a most unwelcome appearance at Old Trafford for the final in May. And United's frustrations would not end there.

What is remarkable, almost unique, about Arsenal's progress is its ability to win friends and influence people. Unlike their main rivals, accomplishment has not taken a toll on their popularity.

Sir Alex Ferguson turned Manchester United from losers to winners but won few friends on the way. His legacy is a cabinet full of trophies and a club that is now sadly and often unfairly reviled, as much through episodes of unpleasantness as jealousy at its lasting success.

Yet, if anything, Arsenal are better received on the brink of this golden age than at any time in living memory.

Many neutrals want Arsenal to go a year without losing. They think they play football that deserves it. They admire the challenge it represents. They like the man who has laid down that challenge.

Indeed, if Sunderland won this afternoon and Manchester United's record for unbeaten matches in the Premier League stayed intact, there would not be widespread cheering.

That is Wenger's sea change. A team you can see winning the Championship without losing your appetite. Whatever next for Arsenal? Any chance of a half-decent away strip, Arsene?

Keane may lose United captaincy, screamed the headlines this weekend.

Yeah, right...

David Beckham: We can go all the way roar Sven and Owen

We can go all the way roar Sven and Owen

MICHAEL OWEN and Sven Goran Eriksson last night dared utter the words England fans never dreamt they'd hear: We can win the World Cup.

England hero Owen, fresh from winning the penalty that destroyed Argentina, spoke exclusively to the News of the World and roared: "We have beaten one of the favourites and no one can say we didn't deserve it.

"Argentina are a very good side and quite rightly were fancied to go a long way. So why shouldn't we?"

And manager Eriksson, still savouring his brave Lions' heroic 1-0 victory, insisted: "I have always been very positive and I have always believed. Now anything is possible — you never know.

"Yes, we should have respect for all teams but if we play football as we can we should not be afraid of anyone. If we play as we have done many times before, like against Argentina and in our qualification, then this is a very good team."

Owen and Eriksson were speaking as the scale of Friday's historic win was starting to sink in. England now need only a draw against Nigeria to be certain of winning a place in the second round.

Eriksson added: "To beat Germany and Argentina — they are all very good victories. It is not easy going to Germany and winning.

"It's not easy beating Argentina in the World Cup when they are among the favourites. But that's what we have done so, yes, anything is possible. The games are coming fast and they will be tight.

"All the teams are getting tired but I think we are prepared — I certainly hope so."

But alongside his buoyant air of confidence there are also words of warning over the Group F decider with Nigeria on Wednesday.

Eriksson said: "It is an extremely good victory against Argentina but to beat Argentina and still go home on June 13 would be extremely sad and extremely stupid. Until we can beat or draw with Nigeria we are not through.

"After a rest we will be focusing on the Nigerians and treat them with respect."

For the first time in this tournament, England will have to contend with the searing mid-afternoon heat and suffocating humidity when they play Nigeria.

But Owen said: "We are confident we can deal with it. I have played in hot climates before and we have been fortunate to have the best possible preparation to handle whatever conditions we come up against."

England's heroes were allowed to celebrate their famous victory with a glass of wine and dinner with friends and family. Eriksson relaxed the rules to allow his players to savour their triumph.

Eriksson said: "I said they could have a glass of wine. It was a way of relaxing after the game but it was nothing too special-it was not a big party, not at all."

Now you're gonna believe me - we're gonna win the cup

RIO Ferdinand has never wavered once. He's said all along that England could win the World Cup.

And now you're gonna believe him!

The unforgettable victory over World Cup favourites Argentina has turned the prospect of repeating 1966 from a wild pipe dream into a real possibility.

Even those who thought it a ridiculous idea are now reconsidering and saying: "Hey, you never know."

Ferdinand, just 23 but with 24 caps already to his name, has never subscribed to the "let's just make up the numbers" philosophy.

The Leeds star says England are here to win and fear no-one.

Ferdinand said: "We want to beat everyone we play against. We are a young squad and it is definitely a squad without fear.

"We don't look at ourselves as any less than anyone else so the confidence is certainly there.

"We know that other countries have more experienced players than us. But if we play as well as we can we are as good as anyone. And that means we have as good a chance as any other team.

"Against Argentina we not only got the right result but we played some good football too.

"And if we all keep pulling together then the country has a good chance of winning something."

Ferdinand relished the chance to pit his skills against those of the much-fancied Argentinians.

And he savoured coming out on top.

He added: "You dream about playing in games like that against the best players in the world.

"The bigger the game the better you want to play and we have done that. We have won against one of the favourites for the World Cup.

"It definitely enhances your reputation as a player if you play in these big games under great pressure. It was a real thrill."

And Ferdinand is in the mood to milk every minute of beating the South Americans. He said: "We have got to enjoy this moment. It has been four years ... a lot of the younger players weren't around at France '98.

"But you could tell as we came off the pitch what it meant to the senior players who actually played in that game.

"Everyone was enjoying themselves but it was not getting out of hand.

"We have not qualified yet. We have to make sure we get the right result against Nigeria.

"But we will focus on Nigeria tomorrow — today we are just going to soak it all up."

But amid all the celebrations there is the realisation that victory was reward for five days of hard work and preparation for this Group F showdown.

That was certainly necessary after the shambolic showing in the second half against Sweden which almost cost England dear.

Sven Goran Eriksson worked relentlessly with the players, drumming home the importance of team discipline, shape and concentration.

And it paid off in style.

Ferdinand explained: "It was drilled into us to keep our shape and work together as a team rather than individuals.

"It was all about the organisation of the team and keeping ourselves together and we did that really well against Argentina.

"The last 20 minutes were definitely hard, a lot of the boys were tired, but we still remained hard to break down."

The fatigue factor was always a worry especially with skipper David Beckham and Nicky Butt both fresh from injury.

But Ferdinand reckons the United players and Newcastle's Kieron Dyer are getting stronger every day to further boost England's chances.

He said: "Becks got 90 minutes under his belt and Butty played like he'd never been injured.

"The more training sessions and games they get in, the better they are going to be.

"We're all together as a squad, everyone has their role to play and if we want to win something we have to remain as one.

"That's exactly how we are right now, probably because a lot of the players in there have grown up together and come up through the youth team and under-21s.

"Most importantly we all come from a winning mentality and we all want to win something."

ENGLAND captain David Beckham begins his week of destiny today with a vow to lift the hearts of a nation.

Becks: I want to be the new Bobby Moore

ENGLAND captain David Beckham begins his week of destiny today with a vow to lift the hearts of a nation.

"I want to be the new Bobby Moore," he said. "I know I'm following in the footsteps of captains like him. Bobby's my hero."

With his 50th cap against Sweden this morning and a monumental match against Argentina on Friday effectively deciding the team's future, Becks knows exactly what it takes to be the new Bobby.

It was Moore who lifted the World Cup at Wembley in 1966 as England hammered Germany 4-2.

Man United hero David, 27, wasn't born until 1975, but added: "When you think about Bobby Moore you just think, ‘Legend'.

Aura

"My dad told me an awful lot about him, my grandad did too. The biggest thing about him was that he was a gentleman. What a captain he was.

"I want to be liked like Bobby Moore was liked. And he was liked by all generations. There are certain players that have got that certain aura. Bobby Moore walked into a room and people stood up and clapped."

And with a growing conviction that Moore, who tragically died of cancer in 1993, is smiling down on him, David added: "I have a feeling my time has come. Leading out this England team here in the World Cup will be my proudest moment in football."

Becks, who pays his homage to the 1966 captain in a video called Hero, The Bobby Moore Story, also revealed this weekend how he considered leaving the country or quitting football altogether after his World Cup nightmare against Argentina in France '98.

His kick at midfielder Diego Simeone, and England's penalty shoot-out defeat without him when he was sent off, infuriated fans and made him fear for his family's safety."There were times when I felt I could have walked away," said Becks, speaking in Saitama, Japan. "So many threats were coming through to me and my family."

He decided to carry on playing because, "though the most important thing in my life is my family, without my football I'm a lost man." He confessed: "It went through my mind to play abroad because people were saying I wouldn't be able to go into certain grounds at home. You can head home and cry, which I felt like doing, or you can come out fighting.

"And that's the most rewarding thing, that I did it with my football on the pitch. I could have done interview after interview to try and talk my way out of it. But I worked hard at my game to get to where I am today."

Bobby Moore would have been proud.

Hero, The Bobby Moore story, a documentary produced by Sir David Frost, is out on general video release now.
"There's no reason out team should fear anyone and plenty of reasons others should fear us..." Prime Minister Tony Blair
"Though I was once captain of Wales, I'll be rooting for England along with everyone else..." Film star Vinnie Jones
"In 1966 we had Banks, Moore and Charlton. Now it's Seaman, Becks and Owen. We could do it..." 1966 hero Sir Geoff Hurst "I wish the lads well. A fit Becks is a huge boost. You can't overstate how it lifts the team..." Ex-captain Alan Shearer