World Football On The Net

<-- David Beckham

David Beckham will become only the fifth player to win 100 caps for England when he features against France in Paris tonight.

Illustrious club
The LA Galaxy midfielder will follow in in the footsteps of Billy Wright, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore and Peter Shilton when he brings up his century at Stade de France and, having been left out Fabio Capello's first match in charge against Switzerland at Wembley last month, the Italian coach is now backing Beckham to extend his England career until the 2010 FIFA World Cup. "I know Beckham well and I know what he can give me and what he can give the team," said Capello, who coached the 32-year-old at Real Madrid CF last season. "He will play. I couldn't possibly make him come from the United States and not play him, that would be very cruel. As for the future we will have to see, but the David Beckham I know can certainly get to 2010 if he carries on training as he has done. He has always been a very good professional and only people like that can last so long."

World Cup ambition
Beckham made his England debut in 1996 and, having survived being dropped by first Steve McClaren and now Capello, is hoping to prolong his international career for as long as possible. "[The World Cup] is something I want to reach," said Beckham, who was part of the England squad at the 1998 and 2002 tournaments and was also involved in the UEFA European Championship in 2000 and 2004. "I would love to play and be part of the squad in 2010. But I'm taking it as it comes – who knows what's round the corner?"

Capello impact
Having won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, the 1998/99 UEFA Champions League and European/South American Cup with Manchester United, and added the Primera División title under Capello at Madrid last season, Beckham is perfectly placed to assess what creates success – and he believes the new coach has brought a new atmosphere to the England squad. ""He's started off well; the regime has totally changed and players have recognised that," he said. "If you're not playing well and don't respond, you won't be in the team. We've a manager with strong beliefs. He is, without doubt, the right man for the England job.

'What we need'
"He's got his own ways, he knows how to get teams playing. That's what our country needs. We need to get the confidence of the nation back. It's embarrassing when we promise things and say how good we are as a team and don't fulfil that potential. But we do have some of the most talented players in the world and now we've got a manager who knows how to get the best out of players."