Juan Sebastian Veron last night pledged his future to Manchester United - and begged David Beckham to follow suit.
Veron, British football's record buy at £28.1 million sterling, denied he would be rejoining Lazio - from whom he signed for United last summer.
Beckham, whose contract expires at the end of next season, is stalling over putting pen to paper on a new deal at Old Trafford. But Veron (26) said: "It's wonderful to play with world-class players and David Beckham is definitely one of them. It's my desire, and that of other people, for him to stay but it's his own decision that counts.
"I never close the door to anybody but I have no plans to leave United. I had a few problems in Italy, especially regarding my passport, but everything was solved in the end.
"However, I have signed a contract with Manchester United and I feel fine there. I have never thought of going back to Lazio. I've enjoyed myself at Manchester United. It's a different experience - different football, a different country and a different culture. One always aims for to play for a team of that size.
"English football is more relaxing than Italy and I like that. The matches are open, it's not such a drama if teams lose and it's a nice environment." Veron, who will line up for Argentina against Wales in Cardiff tonight, is delighted that United manager Alex Ferguson has reversed his decision to retire this summer and sign a new three-year deal.
The Scot persuaded the midfielder to leave Serie A and move to Old Trafford. Veron said: "Ferguson is a great manager, as everyone knows, and it was he who brought me to Manchester United."
Craig Bellamy will be able to escape his off-field problems for 90 minutes against the best team in the world in front of 70,000 of his countrymen. He knows he is going to be heavily fined - possibly with a £100,000 club fine from Newcastle - for last week's nightclub antics when he returns to the north-east after the showdown with Argentina at the Millennium Stadium.
But with Wales refusing to be dragged into the situation, national manager Mark Hughes is looking to see Bellamy's stunning 18-goal club form transferred onto the international stage.
Bellamy has been cautioned by police following a fracas with a girl student, but Hughes insists it is an internal matter for Newcastle to handle, and nothing to do with the FA of Wales.
What Hughes wants to see is the 22-year-old concentrate on his football, and he admits he has been itching to see Bellamy, and his former under-21 team-mate Simon Davies, reproduce their stunning Premiership form of this season on the international stage.
Meanwhile, Sammy McIlroy claims Neil Lennon has proved his commitment to Northern Ireland by being in the squad for tonight's friendly in Limassol against Poland even though he has a niggling knee injury.
Lennon's desire to play for Northern Ireland has been questioned by some fans. However, McIlroy claims it would have been easy for him to pull out and the fact that he hasn't speaks volumes for his commitment. "It shows to people that he does want to be here. That's the spirit we want and it's great to see it."
The plan is for Lennon to play some part against Poland and McIlroy will probably use him as a substitute. Lennon could well come on for Philip Mulryne, who has managed just 60 minutes for Norwich in the past month, also because of a knee injury. Danny Griffin has damaged medial ligaments and McIlroy is expected to give him and Mulryne a half each.
