Beckham: I don't want to manage

England midfielder David Beckham has no intention of becoming a coach and is instead focusing on his recovery from an Achilles injury, which he has revealed is ahead of schedule. The 35-year-old's dreams of participating in a fourth FIFA World Cup™ were shattered in March, when he sustained the injury while on loan to AC Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy.

However, Beckham was invited along to South Africa as part of Fabio Capello's backroom staff and sat on the bench for what turned out to be a wretched campaign, which ended with 4-1 defeat by Germany in the Round of 16. It has been suggested the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player could take charge of the national side in future, but the free-kick specialist is not interested in such talk at this stage in his career and cannot foresee that changing down the line.

South Africa 2010: The Interviews

The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa proved to be every inch the spectacle promised by organisers of these first global showpiece staged on African soil. As the competition’s official website, FIFA.com featured a vast array of interviews with the tournament's top stars. Read on for a sampling of some of the more enticing one-on-ones, or click on the link to the right to read them all.

Andres Iniesta (ESP), 12, July 2010
I'm happy, I'm really happy, that I've been able to score these decisive goals. But the whole team's done an excellent job

Iniesta: I never lost faith

Spain hero Andres Iniesta claims he never lost faith in achieving FIFA World Cup™ success, despite a frustrating season with injuries and a bad start for Vicente del Bosque's side in South Africa.

Iniesta, who scored the extra-time winner for Spain in the FIFA World Cup Final against Holland on Sunday, struggled for long periods last season with a thigh problem and only reappeared for Barcelona right at the end of the campaign. The midfielder then aggravated the injury in Spain's friendly win over Poland before the start of the FIFA World Cup and was forced off once more as Del Bosque's side went down 1-0 to Switzerland in their opening match in South Africa.

Missed chance haunts Robben

Netherlands forward Arjen Robben has admitted he is being haunted by thoughts of his 2010 FIFA World Cup Final™ miss.

The Dutchman went through one-on-one with Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas but saw his shot saved before Andres Iniesta grabbed a dramatic extra-time goal to win it 1-0. It would have been a very different story if Robben could have found the net, a thought that has been nagging the Bayern Munich star since.

FIFA.com attracts over a quarter of a billion visits as the world engages online with the 2010 FIFA World Cup™

Multimedia platforms proved central to fans’ enjoyment of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ as FIFA – through its web and Twitter feeds – successfully delivered a range of complementary digital experiences to football enthusiasts around the world.

In addition to the many millions of fans watching the matches on TV, over 220,000 people followed FIFA’s official tweets on Twitter, while members of the five million-strong FIFA.com Club swapped 120 million virtual stickers and made over one million comments on the website as they debated the finer points of the tournament.

Fabregas and Del Bosque in dreamland

Cesc Fabregas has hailed an "historic moment" for Spain after helping them win their first FIFA World Cup™. The Arsenal midfielder created the only goal for Andres Iniesta in extra time against the Netherlands at Soccer City.

Fabregas has had to play a substitutes' role all tournament - including in the Final - but revealed the conquest made up for all the frustration. "This is an historic moment for Spain and it may never be repeated - I dedicate this to my whole family.

Xavi hails Spanish dream come true

Spain midfielder Xavi described his country's FIFA World Cup™ victory as a dream come true following their 1-0 defeat of the Netherlands at Soccer City.

Xavi's club and country team-mate Andres Iniesta scored the only goal of the game four minutes before the end of extra time after a drab encounter as Spain added the world title to the European crown they won in Vienna two years ago. And having also won everything on offer in club football, Xavi now has a full set of international medals.

Roja, Oranje provide numbers aplenty

FIFA.com gives you the numbers behind the action on a night when Spain won the biggest prize in football at the expense of the Netherlands.

116 minutes were on the clock when Andres Iniesta scored the latest winning goal in a FIFA World Cup™ Final.

32 years ago was the last time an extra-time goal was scored in the decider. Coincidentally, the Netherlands suffered it when Argentina scored the second of two extra-time goals to seal a 3-1 win.

6 Finals have gone into extra time, with 2006 and 2010 being the only time it has happened in consecutive FIFA World Cups. The other four deciders to feature extra time were in 1934, 1966, 1978 and 1994.

Dream celebrated, nightmare lamented

"The dream has come true," said the newspaper El Pais on its website as an exultant Spanish press hailed the country's first ever FIFA World Cup™ triumph. The newspaper declared 11 July as "a historic day for Spanish sport".

"Spain, Spain, Spain!" screamed the daily El Mundo. "This World Cup has crowned one of the best teams of all time."

"Iniesta took us up into heaven," said the sports daily Marca on the midfielder who scored the crucial extra-time goal that gave Spain a 1-0 win over the Netherlands. "We suffered, but it was worth it," it said.

Forlan: A reward for Uruguayan football

If there was one thing lacking from Diego Forlan’s stellar performance here at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ it was a piece of silverware, particularly after the deadly striker just missed out on clinching the adidas Golden Shoe for the competition’s top scorer. No matter, the inspirational Uruguayan No10 instead made off with the coveted adidas Golden Ball – awarded to the finest player at this year’s finals on South African soil.

Forlan thus becomes the fourth South American to claim the prize, following in the footsteps of Argentina’s Diego Maradona (1986) and Brazilian duo Romario (1994) and Ronaldo (1998). Just minutes after learning of his award, the Atletico Madrid hitman spoke exclusively to

'Psychic' octopus seals perfect record

Paul the "psychic" octopus finished the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ with a flawless record as Spain's 1-0 win over the Netherlands in Sunday's final left him with eight perfect predictions.

The eight-legged oracle has become a FIFA World Cup sensation by correctly forecasting all seven Germany games in South Africa and he finished the tournament in style by predicting a Spanish victory in the Soccer City sign-off.

Busquets making Spain forget Senna

Two years ago when Spain lifted the European title in Vienna, a Brazilian-born defensive midfielder was widely regarded as the team's unsung star.

With all the focus on the goalscoring feats of David Villa and Fernando Torres or the silky skills of Andres Iniesta and Xavi, Marcos Senna still managed to attract as many plaudits for his vital role in helping the rest of the team tick. He was also named in UEFA's squad of the tournament.

But after a poor and injury-plagued season in Spain, the 33-year-old was left out of coach Vicente Del Bosque's FIFA World Cup™ squad. Instead, Del Bosque turned to 21-year-old Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets and neither player nor coach have looked back since.

Spanish spoiler plots Sneijder downfall

Spaniard Sergio Busquets dreams of being a party pooper Sunday when he faces Dutch star Wesley Sneijder in the FIFA World Cup™ Final. While Busquets was part of the Barcelona team that won the Spanish title, Sneijder is chasing a fourth winners medal having helped Inter Milan conquer Europe after they raised the Italian league and cup trophies.

Spain are favoured to win a Soccer City clash of countries who have never been world champions, but Sneijder poses a major threat after a superb tournament. Sneijder has already made Busquets suffer once as Inter dumped title holders Barcelona out of the UEFA Champions League at the semi-final stage in a gripping two-leg showdown.

Forlan fit to face Germany

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has recovered from a thigh injury and will play in the FIFA World Cup™ match for third place against Germany, coach Oscar Tabarez revealed on Friday. The influential Atletico Madrid forward was substituted in the 84th minute of Uruguay's 3-2 semi-final defeat by the Netherlands but Tabarez says Forlan is ready to assume a starting role against Joachim Low's side on Saturday.

"Yes, he's ready, but that doesn't mean he's only going to play to score and for the top goalscorers standings," said Tabarez of four-goal Forlan, who currently trails Spain's David Villa and Holland's Wesley Sneijder by one goal in the race for the adidas Golden Boot. "We absolutely want to win this match and it's a collective effort."

Alex's story finally in focus

In the poverty-stricken Alexandra township, a new script is being written not only by those participating in the Football for Hope Festival, but by youngsters from the township seeking to overcome their circumstances.

While Soweto continue to steal the international spotlight, not much is known about 'Alex', as the township is fondly known by locals, despite its rich and long history. Indeed, it is here that some of the country’s most celebrated footballers, including former Bafana Bafana stars Alfred Phiri and Brian Baloyi, were born.

Zakumi's non-stop journey nears its end

When the final whistle sounds at the end of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final in Johannesburg on Sunday, it will also signal the beginning of a well-earned vacation for one of the hardest-working members of the FIFA team.

Zakumi, the Official Mascot of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, will reach to the end of an international tour that began with a prime-time television appearance on South Africa’s SABC way back in September 2008. Since then, the football-crazy leopard with the funky green hair has been on a journey that would challenge the stamina of a rock star.

Record not on Klose's mind

Miroslav Klose is hoping to shake off a back injury ahead of Germany's match with Uruguay in what will be his last chance to write his name in the FIFA World Cup™ history books.

The Bayern Munich striker is just one goal shy of the all-time FIFA World Cup finals scoring record of 15 held by Brazil's Ronaldo. Klose's two goals against Argentina in the quarter-finals put him level with Gerd Muller, the legendary German striker of the 1970s, and in sight of Ronaldo's mark.

The 32-year-old is hoping to shake off a back injury before the third-place play-off match in Port Elizabeth tomorrow but insists the all-time scoring record is not uppermost in his mind.

Xavi to savour final

Spain's midfield maestro Xavi is determined to enjoy the FIFA World Cup™ final.

A new champion will be crowned on Sunday after the UEFA Euro 2008 winners booked a clash with Holland at Soccer City thanks to Carles Puyol's fierce second-half header against Germany in Durban. It offers Spain the chance to follow West Germany into the history books as European Champions who added the FIFA World Cup to their crown.

Van Persie: We can make history

Robin van Persie knows his Holland team-mates have the chance to become immortal on Sunday.

Victory over favourites Spain in the FIFA World Cup™ final at Soccer City would finally erase the bitter taste of defeat from 1974 and 1978. Yet the Total Football created by coach Rinus Michels and put into practice by Johan Cruyff has become a millstone round Dutch necks. Even now, as they approach their date with destiny, there are some who argue this is not a true Holland team because Bert van Marwijk's well-drilled outfit lack the same stardust.

Low backs Spain for title

Spain will be crowned world champions for the first time in their history on Sunday, according to German coach Joachim Low.

Low watched his side beaten 1-0 in the second semi-final by a powerful second-half header from Spain defender Carles Puyol to set up a FIFA World Cup™ final between Spain and Holland, the great underachievers of world football.