Becks drops in at 10 Downing Street to meet Gordon Brown

Football star David Beckham had a private meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for nearly an hour at 10 Downing Street on Jan 8.

London, Jan 9 : Football star David Beckham had a private meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for nearly an hour at 10 Downing Street on Jan 8.

The meeting was regarding the 2018 World Cup, and Beckham's reported role in the event.

The Prime Minister wants the ex-Manchester United star to aid England's bid to host the tournament.

A Downing Street spokesman said the meeting between Brown and Beckham was a "genuinely private matter".

After the meeting, Beckham, who also met Sarah Brown and the couple's two young sons, John and Fraser, as well as Children's Secretary Ed Balls and Culture Secretary James Purnell, said that he was "very proud" to meet the Prime Minister.

"He's (Mr Brown) interested in sports and his football, you know he is very interested in doing a lot for my academy and also getting involved in schools around the country as well," the Telegraph quoted Beckham, as saying.

"He's a very good man, you know he's a man that's looking after our country and he is doing a very good job. I'm very proud to be here tonight," he added.

At his monthly press conference, Brown praised former England captain's central role in securing the 2012 Olympics for London.

A source revealed that Brown is now eager to work with Beckham on the World Cup bid.

"They will talk about the bid and David wants to do what he can. We have seen the power of football to change lives," the source said.

ANI