I was Not Fit Enough
Monday, June 28, 2004

David Beckham has admitted for the first time that he was not fit to lead England's ill-fated attempt to win Euro 2004 and that his recent problemson and off the pitch have been taking a heavy toll.

The England captain, who has been widely criticised for a series oflargely anonymous performances in Portugal, claims that an inadequatefitness regime at his Spanish club left him well below his peak physicalcondition.

Beckham said: `I don't think we've done as much conditioning work at Real Madrid as we used to do at Manchester United.

`I didn't feel as fit in the second half of the season as I did in thefirst half. Maybe that's the way the Spanish game is.'Asked if his lack of fitness had spilled over into Euro 2004, he replied:`Yes, maybe it has.'

Beckham has had to defend himself since England lost on penalties toPortugal in the quarter-finals in Lisbon Thursday night.

Sources inside the England camp say he was well below ideal fitnesslevels when he joined the squad. Fitness coaches had to give him extrasessions.

Beckham also suggested that recent troubles, including claims that hebetrayed his wife Victoria by having two affairs, have been getting on topof him. `It has been tough this season on and off the pitch because ofcertain situations, but I am strong enough,' he said.

`I've got to be strong because I am a father who has got to look aftertwo young boys and my wife. When I'm down they pick me up and when they'redown I pick them up.'

But he insisted: `I will overcome this.'

View all items