March 4 (Bloomberg) -- David Beckham, soccer's highest earner, said he wants to end his playing career at Real Madrid, the record nine-time European champion, rather than in England.

``I'm going to stay here as long as possible,'' Beckham said yesterday in an interview with Realmadrid TV, the Spanish club's official channel. ``I want to retire here.''

Beckham, 29, is 21 months into a four-year contract with Madrid after joining from Manchester United in June 2003. He said he and his wife, Victoria, want to bring up their three children in Spain. The couple last month named their third son Cruz, which means cross in Spanish.

Since his arrival in Madrid, U.K. newspapers have consistently linked England captain Beckham with a return to the Premiership, mostly with leader Chelsea. Many have questioned whether he warrants a place in the national team.

``My best football is still to come,'' Beckham said. ``Real Madrid is one of the best teams in the world and I want to offer them my best football as long as I can.''

While Real failed to win a trophy in Beckham's first season playing alongside stars including Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane, the team is in contention for the Spanish league and Europe's elite Champions League this campaign.

Madrid's 3-1 win over Real Betis two days ago cut Barcelona's La Liga lead to six points. Barcelona had led by 13 points at the end of 2004. Madrid beat Italy's Juventus 1-0 in the first leg of their last-16 pairing in the Champions League. The second match takes place March 9.

The hiring of Wanderlei Luxemburgo on Dec. 30 as the team's fifth coach in 18 months sparked a turnaround in Madrid's form, according to Beckham. Real won eight games and lost twice since the former Brazil coach's appointment.

``We have a new coach who knows what he wants and what he must do to get it,'' Beckham said. ``He trusts the players. The players respect him. Luxemburgo has made me feel confident.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Dan Baynes in Sydney dbaynes@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: March 3, 2005 19:44 EST