Washington - David Beckham said Wednesday that playing with AC Milan "at the highest level" for the next months will hopefully put him on the road to represent England at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"I'm passionate about playing for my country," the 108-times capped Beckham told NBC news in an interview from Milan.

He dismissed the seriousness of an injured right ankle, saying he had been "running on the sand" already Tuesday morning.

The 33-year-old footballer is on loan to AC Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy, and the agreement with the Devils was recently extended until June 30. Beckham will rejoin Galaxy on July 1 for the US season, which ends in late November.

Beckham said he really wants to play in the World Cup and that he has to "be playing in Europe ... at the highest level" to make it to South Africa.

"I have to be playing at this level," Beckham said. "For me, it's the idea that I'd rather be playing more football than less."

But Beckham added that he has a long-term commitment to Galaxy. At the end of the US season, the midfielder will be free to remain with the California club for two more years or join another club.

In any case, Beckham said the family will "always have a house" in California, and that his wife, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, will "stay there with the children" even if he plays elsewhere.

"We'll do what's best for the children," he told NBC. (dpa)