David Beckham quit as England captain on Sunday after his side lost to Portugal in the penalty shootouts in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Beckham, 31, left the field on Saturday with a leg injury in the 52nd minute and England played with 10 men when Wayne Rooney was given a red card in the 62nd minute.

After a 0-0 tie in 120 minutes, England lost to Portugal 3-1 in the penalty kicks.

"On November 15, 2000, Peter Taylor gave me the greatest honor of my career in making me captain of England and fulfilling my childhood dream," Beckham said in a statement, "Now almost six years later, having been captain for 58 of my 95 caps, I feel the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter in a new era under Steve McClaren."

"This decision has been the most difficult of my career to date," he said. "But after discussing it with my family and those closest to me, I feel the time is right."

McClaren takes over as England coach from Sven-Goran Eriksson in August.

Source: Xinhua