David Beckham said media claims had not affected his game

"When you invite people into your home to look after your children... you need to be able to trust them," the England football captain told media in Madrid.

"The reason I keep my mind on football is because me and my wife are happy."

The Real Madrid star and his wife, Victoria, plan to sue former nanny Abbie Gibson for breach of confidence.

I've been brought up to treat women in the right way, to treat women with respect David Beckham

Beckham said the media speculation had not affected his football and he and his wife were "normal people" who were happy together.

"Of course we have arguments like everybody, but at the end of the day I know that I love my wife," he said.

"I've been brought up to treat women in the right way, to treat women with respect and I know for a fact that if I didn't do that my mother would be the first one over here to tell me off."

He added that he was happy with his form for his Spanish club side and would stay there until the end of his contract.

'Public interest'

The Beckhams are also planning legal action against the paper which on Sunday published Ms Gibson's allegations, the News of the World.

Their legal representatives had sought a High Court injunction against the paper a day earlier, claiming Ms Gibson was in breach of a confidentiality contract.

But the judge ruled the story was in the public interest and the paper could publish.

The couple launched legal action against the News of the World last year over earlier claims made about the state of their marriage.

On Tuesday, the newspaper said: "We are surprised the Beckhams are seeking to expand their libel action against the News of the World to take account of our latest disclosures.