Becks pays tribute to Sir Bobby

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-17 09:04

MINSK - David Beckham celebrated overtaking Sir Bobby Charlton to become England's third most capped player by paying tribute to the influence the Manchester United and England legend has had on his career.

England's David Beckham, seen, during the World Cup group 6 qualifying soccer match between England and Belarus, in Minsk, Belarus, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. England won 3-1. [Agencies]

"Without a doubt it means a lot," Beckham said after winning his 107th cap - one more than Charlton managed - with an appearance as a late substitute in the 3-1 win over Belarus here on Wednesday.

"Sir Bobby Charlton was a hero of my dad's and also of mine. I went to his soccer school when I was a boy. With him being a Manchester United legend I'm very honored to be above him in the list and as close to him as I am."

One more appearance - possibly in a friendly in Germany next month - would see the 33-year-old Beckham equal 1966 captain Bobby Moore's tally of 108 caps, the highest total by an outfield player.

Beckham however still has some way to go to match former goalkeeper Peter Shilton's record of 125 appearances for England, although he will almost certainly do it if he achieves his ambition of staying in the squad until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Most pundits see that as unlikely but Beckham has defied the odds before, most notably by coming back after being dropped at the start of Steve McClaren's reign in the aftermath of the last World Cup.