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John Terry has insisted England's players are only focused on winning the World Cup and are not obsessed with how big a bonus they can earn from succeeding at the tournament next year.
It was reported at the weekend that a deal has already been agreed where each member of the squad will earn £400,000 if Fabio Capello's side go all the way in South Africa.
Terry claimed no discussions on the issue have taken place yet and is adamant that a financial reward is at the bottom of his list of priorities.
The England captain said: "We only qualified last month and I know 100 per cent that there hasn't been any talk about bonuses or anything like that. It's something other people talk about and comes with the job.
"No one has even mentioned it in the squad. We're just buzzing that we qualified and that's the only thing on the players' minds - nothing else.
"The World Cup is the prize we really want. If you take away the players' wages tomorrow, the hunger and desire will still be there.
"We're here to win trophies and if the money goes out of the game, I'll still be the first one in training tomorrow and I'm sure I'll be joined by the rest of my team-mates."
England take on Belarus in their final World Cup qualifier tonight with Terry determined to end the campaign on a high after their 100 per cent record came to an end following the 1-0 defeat away to Ukraine on Saturday.
Terry has warned his team-mates that neither he or Capello will accept a drop in performance just because England have secured a place in South Africa.
He added: "I've always had that philosophy that you train the way you play and I always give it 100 per cent. If people around me are wanting to give it only 90 per cent, that is not good enough for me or the manager."
Terry also revealed that he lives in fear of making any mistakes because Capello doesn't hesitate to make an example out of him in front of the rest of the squad.
He said: "When we are watching games back and I make a mistake or a bad pass, I'm always hoping he doesn't stop the video. I'm cringing. But then he stops it and gets his red beam out and flashes it right at you.
"I've had it a couple of times. He doesn't let anything go unturned."
Reader views (7)
Good idea Dave in Portugal. If the England players want to demonstrate they are playing for the shirt not the bonus / dosh - let them all say now that they will give every penny the make from attending the WC to charity (no matter how they do in the finals).
- Coys Switz, switzerland
I wouldn't be too concerned with an England bonus either if I was on £130k per week
- Paul, Feltham
If and a big if, that England win the world cup, they should give the bonus of 400k, to charity. The earn far to much as it is......they earn in 7 days what most people would earn in 5 or so years. 400k for a bonus, this game has gone completely mad and obessed with money!!!
- Dave, Portugal
John from Norfolk - if John Terry is asked in an FA press conference about MEDIA REPORTS regarding bonuses, what's he going to do? If he refuses to discuss it the press and public will think he's evading the issue. As it is all he can do is stress that it's all about the football. From the sound of things, that's what he's concentrating on.
- Blue Baby, London
If he was so worried about his wallet John he would now be at Man City - if anyone in the England Team concentrates on his football its JT hence him being the captain!
- Melly, Cartagena, Colombia
And there was me thinking playing for your country was an honour....why are they getting money to represent their country? joke...they don't care about the country they just want their money!
- Jh, London
How nice to know that John Terry is not interested in the size of the bonus to be paid in the somewhat unlikely event of England winning the World Cup. He is so uninterested that he is talking about it only days after a less than impressive performance against Ukraine.
Concentrate your mind on your football Mr. Terry not on your wallet.
- John, Norfolk
