By JIM MUNRO
FRANK LAMPARD is proud of English football’s role in the global game — but says it’s about time the Three Lions backed it up with another World Cup win.
England face a stellar friendly with Brazil at Wembley in February before their World Cup qualifying campaign continues in March with games at San Marino and Montenegro.
The Chelsea midfielder said: “English football is something that is seen as the founders of the game.
“Whatever happens and whether we are successful in World Cups and Championships or not, English football is held with respect around the world, and the footballing world particularly.
“The FA do a lot to keep that up, to keep the face of English football. The only thing is we want to be more successful.
“We’ve won one World Cup and the thing that would top it all as fans and players would be to try and win something else.”
Lampard, who has scored 26 goals in 93 appearances for his country, was speaking to The FA in the week of its 150th anniversary launch.
Looking ahead to what 2013 has in store for England, Lampard said: “First of all to qualify for the World Cup is of main importance, and there is work to be done there.
“But I love the friendly fixtures we’ve got. In a year of an anniversary where we are celebrating, the idea of the romance of the Brazil games is great, home and away.
“If you think about the founders of football then England and Brazil is the beautiful game, so that’s two great games.
“I’m also pleased to see the home nation games coming back, it’s great for the fans and for us as players.
“It’ll be great to see the rivalry come back again.”
In football’s book of records there are of course only two Frank Lampards. Frank senior was a West Ham left-back who won two caps over 30 years ago. His son can never remember a time when football wasn’t in his life.
Frank junior said: “From the minute I could walk I had a ball in my hand. I was born into a footballing family and was fortunate enough to move up the ranks and get to represent my country which is one of the greatest honours you can have as a player.
“I just feel very fortunate being a lover of football from a very young age that I’ve been able to make it my job and be involved in it so much.
“I’m very proud to play for my country. From the minute I played my first game and I was so proud for my whole family to come along to that.
“As you get to the back end of your career and you know that it doesn’t go on forever you start to savour exactly how important these England games are; the minute you put on the shirt, the minute you travel when you represent your country.
The tournament he enjoyed most with England was the 2004 European Championship in Portugal, where the Three Lions battled to the quarter-final stage before losing a penalty shootout 6-5 to the hosts.
Lampard said: “My favourite moment in an England shirt is Euro 2004.
“It was my first major tournament and it was a successful one for me personally.
“We didn’t go as far as we wanted to and maybe as far as we could have done, but it was the first time being away at a tournament and feeling that buzz of a tournament.
“I’d never experienced the England fans travelling in such vast numbers before.
“I’ll never forget the buzz I got going out to warm up for my first game, against France, and England had taken over the whole stadium basically.
“It was a very special moment for me.”
