David Beckham had some kind words for Prime Minister Gordon
Brown following a private meeting at Downing Street.
The footballer, who spoke to the BBC's Nick Robinson on his way
out, said Mr Brown was doing "a very good job".
He said they had discussed Beckham's soccer academy and how it
might become involved with schools in the UK.
There has been speculation that Beckham might become a World Cup
ambassador for England, but he would only say "we will have to see
what the future holds".
Beckham, who plays for Los Angeles Galaxy, has been training with
Arsenal during the US Major League Soccer close season, so he can
be fit for a possible England call-up under new manager Fabio
Capello.
He told the BBC Mr Brown was very interested in sport, including
football, and also "doing a lot for my academy and also getting
involved in schools around the country as well."
Asked what he thought of Mr Brown, after his first meeting with the
prime minister, he said: "He's a very good man, he's a man who's
looking after our country and he's doing a very good job. I'm very
proud to be here tonight."
The prime minister has previously said he wants a government "of
all the talents" and has invited people from outside politics to
advise him - such as people from the business world.
But Mr Robinson said while there would probably not be a formal
role for Beckham on Mr Brown's team, the prime minister would be
visiting his academy on Thursday, to see how deprived children
could be inspired by sport.
Asked about whether he would be involved in England's 2018 World
Cup bid - something that would be a matter for the Football
Association rather than Mr Brown - Beckham said he was "very
interested" but "we will have to see what the future holds".
