Beckham's idol Moore
Thursday, 12 February, 2009
David Beckham reveals that he has always looked up to Bobby Moore, after equalling his caps tally.
Spain 2-0 England
International Friendly
9pm (GMT) Wednesday 11 February 2009
Ramon Sanchez Pizjuán Stadium, Sevilla FC
David Beckham revealed he was honoured to be alongside one of his heroes Bobby Moore as the two most capped outfield players for England - sharing the title on 108 caps.
Speaking exclusively to TheFA.com, Beckham explained how he had grown up idolising the legendary West Ham and England defender who famously lifted the World Cup at Wembley in 1966.
Beckham said: "As a young kid Bobby Moore was always someone I looked up to, even though he was a defender.
"He was a player that many people looked up to, so to be up there with the likes of Bobby Moore, Billy Wright, Bobby Charlton as outfield players - I'm very honoured."
As well as being honoured, Beckham admitted to being a little disappointed as England lost their first game in eleven months.
"I'm very honoured tonight with making 108, but it's always disappointing losing games. The games are more important than my caps.
"We're disappointed, but like I say I'm very honoured making 108."
Having played in Spain with Real Madrid for four years, Beckham knows just how strong the technical ability of the Spanish players is but he was sure that lessons will be learned from the match in Seville.
"I've always said that about the Spanish league, technically it's one of the best in the world," Beckham added. "You see that with the players they've got and the way they play, it's very difficult to get the ball off them, so when you do you have to make it count.
"Hopefully this year can bring success. You know it was a tough game tonight. Losing was a disappointment but we are definitely moving forward and hopefully we can carry on doing that this year.
"This being a friendly, it's disappointing to lose any game, but the next one is the most important one. We have to concentrate on preparing for that and I'm sure we'll be fine."
England
1 David James (12 Rob Green, 46), 2 Glen Johnson, 3 Ashley Cole, 4 Michael Carrick, 5 Phil Jagielka (14 Matthew Upson, 46), 6 John Terry (c), 7 Shaun Wright-Phillips, 8 Gareth Barry (18 Frank Lampard, 46), 9 Emile Heskey (20 Peter Crouch, 46), 10 Stewart Downing (17 David Beckham, 46), 11 Gabriel Agbonlahor (21 Carlton Cole, 75)
Substitutes not used
13 Wayne Bridge, 16 Ashley Young, 19 James Milner, 22 Joe Hart
Manager Fabio Capello
Spain
1 Iker Casillas (c) (25 Pepe Reina, 46), 2 Raúl Albiol (4 Carlos Marchena, 75), 3 Gerard Piqué, 6 Andrés Iniesta, 7 David Villa (21 David Silva, 56), 8 Xavi (17 Dani Guiza, 85), 9 Fernando Torres (16 Fernando Llorente, 64), 11 Joan Capdevilla (23 Álvaro Arbeloa 46), 14 Xabi Alonso, 15 Sergio Ramos, 19 Marcos Senna
Goals
Villa 36, Llorente 82
Substitutes not used
5 Busquets, 10 Albert Riera, 18 Santi Cazorla, 20 Juanito
Coach Vicente del Bosque
Kit Colours
Spain Red shirts, Blue shorts, Blue socks
England White shirts, White shorts, White socks
Match Officials
Referee Stephane Lannoy (France)
Assistant Referees Eric Dansault, Laurent Ugo (Both France)
Fourth Official David Fernandez Borbalan (France)