Why I'm gutted for my pal Becks, the best example for young players there is

By Jermain Defoe

Published 23:00 18/03/10

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"Like everyone else up and down the country I am gutted for David Beckham.

I texted him earlier this week to wish him all the best and he came straight back to me - but then that's the kind of guy he is. A top man.

I will always remember the day before I made my first start for England under Sven Goran Eriksson in a World Cup qualifying match against Poland in 2004.

Becks took the time out to support me and I'll always be grateful to him for that.

He just came over to me in training and said: 'Jay, you're playing well. Just relax and do what you do at your club and you'll be fine. Its no different."

You'd be surprised what something like that means for a young player before he's about to take to the biggest stage of his career.

But then Becks has always been like that, which is why he is admired by so many people.

He is such a nice guy and I cannot begin to put myself in his shoes and imagine how he is feeling.

Some people might turn around and think: 'Hang on a minute, he's been in three World Cups. He is the biggest name in football and so he should be grateful for what he's had already.'

But Becks loves football so much that for all he has achieved - for all the big clubs he has played for - you can still see his work-rate in training and his hunger and desire.

He's a real example to young players.

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