26 jul'11 David Beckham: CNN Interview

(CNN) -- Soccer superstar David Beckham has had a long and distinguished career, but he has one more burning ambition: to play for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games in his hometown London.

It has been widely speculated that the 36-year-old will be part of the coaching staff for the first combined UK team to take part at the Olympics since 1960, but he told CNN that he wants a more active role.

"I would love to," the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder said. "I've already said that in the past and I continue to say that.

"People either assume I want to play or I want to coach or be part of the management team. But I don't want to coach. I don't want to be part of the management team."

Former England captain Beckham, however, believes that next year's sporting extravaganza could inspire a future generation of Olympians.

"It's such a great thing for our young kids in our country to be able to see these world-class athletes performing in east London," he said.

"It's proud for me because it's where I'm from. It's where I grew up. And to be part of bringing the Olympics to that part of London, I'm very proud to be a part of that. You know we're going to make it successful. It's what we do."

The former Real Madrid player is in the final season of a five-year contract with the Galaxy, having left Spain to join the U.S. Major League Soccer outfit in 2007.

Beckham did not rule out a return to Europe when his deal ends in November, but said his aim is to win the MLS championship with Bruce Arena's Galaxy -- now top of the league's Western Conference with only two defeats in 22 matches.

People either assume I want to play or I want to coach ... I don't want to be part of the management team

"I always have ambition to be successful and I've enjoyed my time here, and I'll continue to enjoy it ... I love being part of the franchise here," he said.

"I want to repay them with hopefully a championship at the end of this season -- it would be nice. But going forward I'm just going to have to see how my body feels ... wherever I continue to play and wherever I finish. But I have no plans of finishing."

Beckham's last league title was in 2007 when he helped Capello's Real win the Spanish championship, having previously claimed six English Premier League crowns with Manchester United.

Despite being in the 18th season of a professional soccer career which began in 1993, Beckham said his hunger for the game remains as strong as ever.

"I love playing soccer. I love being out there every day. I wake up in the morning and I'm excited about going training still at 36 years old. And until that changes, that's when I'll know it's time to finish, but I still feel I can play at a high level," he said.

"I want to play as long as possible because it's what I've done. It's what I've done over the years, and it's what I love."