108 caps for David Beckham? Becks is a worthy successor to Bobby Moore, says Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand last night told David Beckham's critics the former skipper has proved himself worthy of matching Bobby Moore's record of England appearances.

Beckham is set to earn his 108th cap - and make his 100th start - in Seville tomorrow, putting him level with the most legendary name in the history of English football.

In a career spanning 13 years and seven managers, Ferdinand suggested jealousy about the midfielder's lifestyle was the wrong reason for questioning his commitment, desire and contribution to his country.

"I don't understand why people are arguing about why he should equal BobbyMoore," said the Manchester United and England defender.

"Maybe it's just because it's Becks, a talking point, because he's become a big kind of personality in the entertainment world.

"Some people might think he doesn't deserve it because he's not a whole-hearted footballer.

"But someone like Becks didn't play for Manchester United and Real Madrid and then come to AC Milan when people think he's over the hill and become an integral part of that team within a few weeks if he's more interested in being someone on the catwalk.

"He has a lot of determination that people who don't really know him wouldn't expect to be there.

"You don't go to AC Milan and get in that team if you're halfhearted.

"You've got to be someone who is up for the job, who wants to compete and wants to be a winner and that's what Becks is, he's someone who wants to do well."

Beckham's performances since his loan move to the San Siro has seen Milan owner and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi intervene to try to get him released from his contract at LAGalaxy, while the 31-year-old revealed his body fat level is the lowest of his entire career.

And Ferdinand insisted only the churlish would deny Beckham his right to be considered a true great of English football.

He added: "There's no taking away what Bobby Moore was - an icon of English football who lifted the World Cup, the only man to do that for England.

"But Becks going past his record won't diminish anything Bobby Moore did.

"He's a top player, who's scored important goals and made great assists at club level and in an England shirt. He will be looked on as a great player, and deservedly so.

"Becks has done some fantastic things in his career and I'm sure he will be remembered for them, but his life outside football is so big it sometimes takes away from what happens on the football field.

"But the move to Milan seems to have rejuvenated him. He's got that bounce to him again.

He wants to give himself the best opportunity to play for England."

England head for Spain in bullish mood, Fabio Capello's first year in charge having utterly altered the mindset of both the players and supporters after the Euro 2008 humiliation under Steve McClaren.

Ferdinand added: "There's a confidence in the team that we're going in the right direction."

Bobby Moore by numbers

108 England caps 1 World Cup, when he skippered England to victory over W. Germany in 1966

21 years old when he won his first cap, May 20 1962 v Peru (a) in a 4-2 win. Made captain in his 12th England game at the age of 22

32 years old when he played his last game for England (also as captain) in 1-0 defeat to Italy at Wembley on Nov 14 1973

62% of games won for England

90 games as skipper... a joint post-war record with Billy Wright (right)

2 England managers played under: Walter Winterbottom and Sir Alf Ramsey (right)

1 club played for during his England career: West Ham

.. and Becks by numbers

107 England caps

5 major tournaments played in... but no honours. Red card in 1998 World Cup quarter-final defeat by Argentina

21 years old when he won his first cap, Sept 1st 1996 v Moldova (a) in a 3-0 win. Made captain at the age of 25 in 0-1 defeat in Italy, 2000

33 years old when he played his last game for England (3-1 win in Belarus, Oct 15th 2008). Was 31 when he last skippered England

58% of games won for England

7 England managers played under: Glenn Hoddle, Howard Wilkinson, Kevin Keegan, Peter Taylor, Sven Goran Eriksson, Steve McClaren and Fabio Capello

3 clubs played for during England career: Man Utd, Real Madrid and Los Angeles Galaxy

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