Editing David Beckham (section)

==International career==
[[File:David Beckham.jpg|thumb|Beckham captained England 59 times in 115 appearances, the fourth-highest after [[Bobby Moore]], [[Billy Wright (footballer born 1924)|Billy Wright]] and [[Bryan Robson]].<ref name="Beckham stands down">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/WorldCup2006/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/06/BeckhamStandsDown.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071029052205/http://www.thefa.com/WorldCup2006/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/06/BeckhamStandsDown.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 October 2007|title=Beckham stands down|date=2 July 2006 |access-date=14 July 2007}}</ref>]]
On 1 September 1996, Beckham made his first appearance for [[England national football team|England]] on 1 in a [[FIFA World Cup]] qualifying match against [[Moldova national football team|Moldova]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=David Beckham Through the Years|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2014/05/02/david-beckham-through-years|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=2 May 2014|access-date=18 August 2024}}</ref>

In June 1997, he participated in the [[1997 Tournoi de France|Tournoi de France]], the friendly international football tournament held in France as a warm-up to the 1998 FIFA World Cup.<ref name="Tournoi de France">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/jun/25/vault-england-le-tournoi-france-1997 |title=From the Vault: recalling how England won Le Tournoi de France in 1997 |work=The Guardian |accessdate=24 November 2019 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610185846/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/jun/25/vault-england-le-tournoi-france-1997 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===1998 FIFA World Cup===
Beckham played in all of England's qualifying matches for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] and was part of the 23-man squad for the finals in France,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/CmpWC/CmpWC1998Squad.html|title=England in World Cup 1998 Squad Records|publisher=englandfootballonline.com|access-date=10 June 2007|archive-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205181400/http://www.englandfootballonline.com/cmpwc/CmpWC1998Squad.html|url-status=live}}</ref> but the team's manager [[Glenn Hoddle]] publicly accused him of not concentrating on the tournament,<ref>{{cite web |title=Beckham Blasts Hoddle |work=Daily Dispatch |date=29 June 1998 |url=http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/06/29/sport/HODDLE.HTM |access-date=5 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514100417/http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/06/29/sport/HODDLE.HTM|archive-date=14 May 2009}}</ref> and he did not start in either of England's first two games. He was picked for the third game against [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] and scored with a [[Curl (association football)|bending]] {{convert|30|yd|adj=on}} [[Free kick (association football)|free kick]] in a 2–0 victory, which was his first goal for England.<ref name="Colombia">{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/06/26/england_colombia/ |title=England wins 2–0 to gain 2nd-round match with Argentina |magazine=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=25 May 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529224519/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/06/26/england_colombia/ |archivedate=29 May 2008 }}</ref>

In the second round (last 16) of that competition, he received a [[Fouls and misconduct (association football)|red card]] in England's match against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]].<ref name="Argentina">{{cite news|first=Henry|last=Winter|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9939779/World-Cup-1998-Argentina-2-England-2-Argentina-win-4-3-on-pens-match-report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325055231/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9939779/World-Cup-1998-Argentina-2-England-2-Argentina-win-4-3-on-pens-match-report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 March 2013|title=World Cup 1998; Argentina 2 England 2, Argentina win 4–3 on pens: match report|date=1 July 1998|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=12 September 2014}}</ref> Beckham, after having been fouled by [[Diego Simeone]], kicked Simeone while lying on the ground, striking him on the calf.<ref name="Argentina"/> ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' was critical of the Argentinian's theatrics in that incident, stating that Simeone first delivered a "heavy-handed challenge" on Beckham, and then "fell like a ton of bricks" when Beckham retaliated.<ref name="sportsillustrated.cnn July 1998">{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/07/04/philjones_04/ |title=Long-awaited revenge: The Netherlands pay back controversial loss to Argentina |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=4 July 1998 |access-date=9 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101023753/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/07/04/philjones_04/ |archive-date=1 January 2012 }}</ref> Simeone later admitted to trying to get Beckham sent off by over-reacting to the kick and then, along with other members of his team, urging the referee to send Beckham off.<ref>{{cite web |title=Simeone admits trying to get Beckham sent off |publisher=Rediff Sports |date=19 May 2002 |url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2002/may/19wc3.htm |access-date=26 October 2005 |archive-date=19 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219141730/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2002/may/19wc3.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The match finished in a draw, and England were eliminated in a [[Penalty shootout (association football)|penalty shootout]]. Many supporters and journalists blamed Beckham for England's elimination and he became the target of criticism and abuse, including the hanging of an [[effigy]] outside a London [[public house|pub]], and the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' printing a [[darts|dartboard]] of him. He received death threats after the World Cup.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beckham's Darkest Hour |publisher=Article on official UEFA website |url=http://en.uefa.com/news/newsId=27844,printer.htmx |access-date=6 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112062436/http://en.uefa.com/news/newsId%3D27844%2Cprinter.htmx |archive-date=12 January 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Euro 2000 and England captaincy===
The abuse that Beckham was receiving from English supporters peaked during [[UEFA Euro 2000 Group A#Portugal vs England|England's 3–2 defeat]] by [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] in [[UEFA Euro 2000|Euro 2000]], a match where Beckham set up two goals, when a group of England supporters taunted him throughout the match.<ref>A reference to Brooklyn {{cite web |title=Leader – Play games behind closed doors |work=New Statesman |date=26 June 2000 |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/200006260003 |access-date=4 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127032613/http://www.newstatesman.com/200006260003|archive-date=27 November 2011}}</ref> Beckham responded by [[finger (gesture)|raising his middle finger]] and, while the gesture attracted some criticism, many of the newspapers that had previously encouraged his vilification asked their readers to stop abusing him.<ref>{{cite news |title=Media sympathy for Beckham's gesture |work=BBC Sport |date=14 June 2000 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/england/790657.stm |access-date=4 October 2005 |archive-date=31 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060531043458/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/england/790657.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Quote box|width=28%|align=right|quote="We've played two and a half minutes of stoppage time. England trail by 2 goals to 1. Beckham could raise the roof here with a goal&nbsp;... I don't believe it! David Beckham scores the goal to take England all the way to the World Cup Finals!&nbsp;... Give that man a Knighthood!"|source=—Television commentary on Beckham's stoppage time {{convert|30|yd|adj=on}} curling free-kick against Greece in the 2002 World Cup qualifying game in October 2001.<ref>"The Amazing David Beckham Goal That Sent England to the 2002 World Cup". The Atlantic. Retrieved 23 May 2014</ref>}}

On 15 November 2000, following [[Kevin Keegan]]'s resignation as England manager in October, Beckham was promoted to team captain by the caretaker manager [[Peter Taylor (footballer born 1953)|Peter Taylor]], and then kept the role under new manager [[Sven-Göran Eriksson]].<ref name="captain"/>

Beckham played a major role in helping England qualify for the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]], starring in an impressive [[2001 Germany v England football match|5–1 victory]] over [[Germany national football team|Germany]] in Munich.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1515667.stm|title=Awesome England thrash Germany|website=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|date=1 September 2001}}</ref> The final step in Beckham's conversion from villain to national hero happened in England's final qualifying game against [[Greece national football team|Greece]] on 6 October 2001.<ref name="Greece">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2002/1575190.stm|title=England reach World Cup finals|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=27 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227042004/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2002/1575190.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> England needed to win or draw the match to qualify outright for the World Cup, but were losing 2–1 with little time remaining. When [[Teddy Sheringham]] was fouled {{convert|8|yd|0|spell=in}} outside the Greek penalty area, England were awarded a free-kick and Beckham ensured England's qualification with a curling strike of the kind that had become his trademark.<ref name="Greece"/> Beckham was voted the [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year]] for 2001, and finished runner-up to [[Luís Figo]] of Portugal, for the [[FIFA World Player of the Year]] award.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1715960.stm|title=Figo best in world|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=2 February 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030202113856/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1715960.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2002 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2004===
[[File:020607beckhamPK.jpg|thumb|left|Beckham scoring a penalty against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] at the 2002 World Cup]]
Beckham was partially fit by the time of the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] held in Japan and South Korea, and played in the first match against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]]. After the events of four years earlier, Beckham achieved a degree of revenge over Argentina by scoring the winning goal with a penalty.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/argentina_v_england/default.stm|title=England's revenge|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=7 June 2002|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106115412/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/argentina_v_england/default.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> England defeated [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]] in the second round with Beckham providing an assist in a 3–0 win.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/denmark_v_england/default.stm |title=England brush Danes aside |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=15 June 2002 |access-date=18 June 2024 }}</ref> England were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual winners [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] after [[Ronaldinho]] scored the winner; following the match, Beckham was criticised in the media for jumping over a tackle late in the first half, which led to Brazil's equaliser.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/england_v_brazil/newsid_2049000/2049924.stm|title=Brazil end England's dream|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=12 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212040235/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/england_v_brazil/newsid_2049000/2049924.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=James|last=Lawton|title=Beckham's convenient smokescreen|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/beckham-s-convenient-smokescreen-181260.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=23 June 2002 |access-date=18 June 2024 }}</ref>

The following month, at the opening ceremony of the [[2002 Commonwealth Games]] in Manchester, Beckham escorted [[Kirsty Howard]] as she presented the [[Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Jubilee Baton to the Queen]]. Beckham played in all of England's matches at [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]]. He had a penalty saved in England's opening 2–1 defeat to France<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/3787491.stm |title=France 2-1 England |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=13 June 2004 |access-date=18 June 2024 }}</ref> and missed another in a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]] in the quarter-final match against hosts [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]], following a 2–2 draw.<ref name="Euros"/> England lost the shootout 6–5, thus going out of the competition.<ref name="Euros">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/3830451.stm|title=Portugal break England hearts|work=BBC Sport|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=17 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417090356/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/3830451.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2005, Beckham's sending off against [[Austria national football team|Austria]] made him the first England captain to be sent off and the first player to be sent off twice while playing for England. He captained England for the 50th time in a friendly international against Argentina the following month.<ref name="captain"/>

===2006 FIFA World Cup===
In England's opening game at the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]], against [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] on 10 June 2006, Beckham's free kick led to an [[own-goal]] by [[Carlos Gamarra]] as England won 1–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4852606.stm |title=England 1-0 Paraguay |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=10 June 2006 |access-date=18 June 2024 }}</ref> In England's next match, played against [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago]] on 15 June 2006, Beckham's cross in the 83rd minute led to a [[Peter Crouch]] goal, which put England into the lead 1–0. Beckham gave another assist to [[Steven Gerrard]]. In the end they won 2–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853008.stm |title=England 2-0 Trinidad & Tobago |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=15 June 2006 |access-date=18 June 2024 }}</ref> He was named [[Man of the Match]] by tournament sponsor [[Budweiser]].

During England's second round match against [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]], Beckham scored from a free kick in the 59th minute, becoming the first English player to score in three separate World Cups,<ref name="Ecuador">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5103974.stm |title=England 1–0 Ecuador |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=25 June 2006 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=8 March 2008 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080308165609/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5103974.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and giving England a 1–0 victory and a place in the quarter-finals. He was sick before the game and vomited several times as a result of [[dehydration]] and illness that he got after having scored the winning goal for England.<ref name="Ecuador"/> In the quarter-final against Portugal, Beckham was substituted following an injury shortly after half time and the England team went on to lose the match on penalties (3–1), the score having been 0–0 after extra time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991618.stm|title=England 0–0 Portugal|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=31 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231122454/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991618.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> After his substitution, Beckham was visibly shaken and emotional for not being able to play, being in tears at one point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/07/01/worldcup.portugal/|title=Portugal sink England on Penalties|publisher=CNN|date=1 July 2006|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=6 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406031700/http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/07/01/worldcup.portugal/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A day after England were knocked out of the World Cup, an emotional Beckham made a statement in a news conference that he had stepped down as England captain,<ref name="captain">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5138288.stm |title=Beckham quits as England captain |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=2 July 2006 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=10 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210040846/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5138288.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> stating: "It has been an honour and privilege to captain my country but, having been captain for 58 of my 95<ref>This was an error on Beckham's part – he had played 94 times for England by this stage.</ref> games, I feel the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter a new era under [[Steve McClaren]]." (Beckham had won 94 [[Cap (sport)|caps]] up to that point.) He was succeeded by [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] captain [[John Terry]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4782197.stm|title=Terry named new England skipper|access-date=10 August 2006|work=BBC Sport|date=10 August 2006|archive-date=23 August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060823191300/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4782197.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Having stepped down as captain after the World Cup, Beckham was dropped completely from the England national team selected by new coach [[Steve McClaren]] on 11 August 2006. McClaren said that he was "looking to go in a different direction" with the team, and that Beckham "wasn't included within that".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4782613.stm|title=McLaren ends Beckham England era|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=13 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913001907/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4782613.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> McClaren said Beckham could be recalled in future. [[Shaun Wright-Phillips]], [[Kieran Richardson]] and the World Cup alternative to Beckham, [[Aaron Lennon]], were all included, although McClaren eventually opted to employ [[Steven Gerrard]] in that role.

===Post-2006 World Cup===
[[File:Beckhamtakesfreekick.jpg|thumb|Beckham takes the free kick against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] from which [[John Terry]] scored.]]
On 26 May 2007, McClaren announced that Beckham would be recalled to the England squad for the first time since stepping down as their captain. Beckham started against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] in England's first match at the new [[Wembley Stadium]] and put in a positive performance. In the second half, he set up England's goal converted by captain [[John Terry]]. It looked as though England would claim victory over Brazil, but newcomer [[Diego (footballer, born 1985)|Diego]] equalised in the dying seconds. In England's next match, a Euro 2008 qualifier against [[Estonia national football team|Estonia]], Beckham sent two trademark assists for [[Michael Owen]] and [[Peter Crouch]], helping England to prevail 3–0. Beckham had assisted in three of England's four total goals in those two games,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/06/EstoniaEngland_report.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080509055532/http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/06/EstoniaEngland_report.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 May 2008|title=Three's the magic number|publisher=The Football Association|date=6 June 2007|access-date=9 June 2007}}</ref> and he stated his desire to continue to play for England after his move to [[Major League Soccer]].

On 22 August 2007, Beckham played in a friendly for England against [[Germany national football team|Germany]], becoming the first to play for England while with a non-European club team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=455849&root=euro2008&cc=4716 |title=Becks and England suffer Wembley woe |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=22 August 2007 |access-date=4 May 2009 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023101648/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=455849&root=euro2008&cc=4716 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 21 November 2007, Beckham earned his 99th cap against [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]], setting up a goal for Peter Crouch to tie the game at 2–2. Following the 2–3 loss, England failed to qualify for the [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008 Finals]]. Despite this, Beckham said that he had no plans to retire from international football and wanted to continue playing for the national team.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7106741.stm |title=Beckham dismisses retirement talk |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=21 November 2007 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=4 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504092707/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7106741.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> After being passed over by new England coach and Beckham's former manager at [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]], [[Fabio Capello]], for a friendly against [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] which would have given him his hundredth cap; Beckham admitted that he was not in shape at the time, as he had not played a competitive match in three months.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Beckham acknowledges lack of fitness |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7845276/Beckham-acknowledges-lack-of-fitness |journal=[[Fox Sports (USA)|Fox Sports]] |date=28 February 2008 |access-date=1 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302003736/http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7845276/Beckham-acknowledges-lack-of-fitness |archive-date=2 March 2008 }}</ref>

===100 England caps, final appearance===
[[File:David Beckham, 2008 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Beckham lining up a free kick for England in 2008]]
On 20 March 2008, Beckham was recalled to the England squad by Capello for the friendly against [[France national football team|France]] in Paris on 26 March. Beckham became only the fifth Englishman to win 100 caps. Capello had hinted on 25 March 2008 that Beckham had a long-term future in his side, ahead of crucial qualifiers for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Beckham to start in Paris for 100th cap |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/03/26/football.beckham/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=26 March 2008 |access-date=26 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329225706/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/03/26/football.beckham/index.html |archive-date=29 March 2008 }}</ref>

On 11 May 2008, Capello included an in-form Beckham in his 31-man England squad to face the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]] on 28 May before the away fixture with [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago]] on 1 June. Beckham –&nbsp;who wore a pair of golden boots to mark the occasion – was honoured before the match by receiving an honorary gold cap representing his 100th cap from [[Bobby Charlton]], and was given a standing ovation from the crowd. He played well and assisted John Terry on the match-winning goal. When substituted at half-time for [[David Bentley]], the pro-Beckham crowd booed the decision.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hart & Jagielka in England Squad |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7395247.stm |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=11 May 2008 |access-date=11 May 2008 |archive-date=8 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608015646/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7395247.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan|last=Veal|title=From Golden Generation to golden boots, remembering David Beckham's 100th England cap|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/david-beckham-100th-england-cap-2008-fabio-capello-a9426041.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=26 March 2020 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401212055/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/david-beckham-100th-england-cap-2008-fabio-capello-a9426041.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In a surprise move, Capello handed Beckham the captaincy for England's friendly against Trinidad and Tobago on 1 June 2008. The match was the first time since the 2006 World Cup that Beckham had skippered England and marked a dramatic turnaround for Beckham. In two years, he had gone from being dropped completely from the England squad to being reinstated (though temporarily) as England captain.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Capello names Beckham as captain for T&T friendly |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8193404/Capello-names-Beckham-as-captain-for-T&T-friendly |work=[[Fox Sports (USA)|Fox Sports]] |date=31 May 2008 |access-date=31 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080712104347/http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8193404/Capello-names-Beckham-as-captain-for-T%26T-friendly |archive-date=12 July 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

During the 2010 World Cup Qualifier against [[Belarus national football team|Belarus]], which England won 3–1 in [[Minsk]], Beckham came off the bench in the 87th minute to earn his 107th cap making him England's third-most-[[cap (sport)|capped]] player in history, overtaking Bobby Charlton in the process. On 11 February 2009, Beckham drew level with [[Bobby Moore]]'s record of 108 caps for an English outfield player, coming on as a substitute for [[Stewart Downing]] in a friendly match against [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=260599&cc=5901 |title=Report: Spain vs England – International Friendly |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=11 February 2009 |access-date=4 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215121358/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=260599&cc=5901 |archive-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref> On 28 March 2009, Beckham surpassed Moore to hold the record outright when he came on as a substitute in a friendly against [[Slovakia national football team|Slovakia]], providing the assist for a goal from [[Wayne Rooney]] in the process.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7966672.stm |title=International football as it happened |work=BBC Sport |date=28 March 2009 |access-date=4 May 2009 |archive-date=4 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404105346/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7966672.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Overall, Beckham had made 16 appearances out of a possible 20 for England under Capello until his ruptured Achilles tendon of March 2010 ruled him out of selection for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] in South Africa.<ref name=BBC11Aug2010NoEnglandFuture/> His last game for England before injury had been on 14 October 2009 as a substitute in England's last World Cup qualifying game, which ended [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 6|England 3–0 Belarus]].<ref name=BBC11Aug2010NoEnglandFuture/>

After a poor performance from England at the World Cup, Capello remained as manager but was under pressure to revamp the England squad for the imminent [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group G|UEFA Euro 2012 qualification campaign]]. He unveiled a new team at the next England match, a home friendly match against Hungary on 11 August 2010, with Beckham still unavailable for selection but aiming for a return to playing in MLS by the following month.<ref name=BBC11Aug2010NoEnglandFuture/> In the post-match interview, Capello said of the prospect of the now 35-year-old Beckham playing any future competitive matches for England, that: "I need to change it. David is a fantastic player but I think we need new players for the future", referring to the new players that play in Beckham's right midfield position, including [[Theo Walcott]] and [[Adam Johnson (footballer)|Adam Johnson]], adding: "This is the future of the team under Fabio Capello or another manager."<ref name=BBC11Aug2010NoEnglandFuture/> He said that Beckham may be selected for one last friendly game, stating, "If he is fit, I hope we will play one more game here at Wembley so the fans can say goodbye." Beckham's agent released a statement reiterating Beckham's position that he had no desire to retire from international football, and would always make himself available for selection for England if fit and if needed.<ref name="BBC11Aug2010NoEnglandFuture">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8906692.stm |title=David Beckham has no England future, says Fabio Capello|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=11 August 2010 |access-date=12 August 2010 |archive-date=9 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409063132/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8906692.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Beckham remained ten caps short of the record number of 125 caps by goalkeeper [[Peter Shilton]], for a player of any position.<ref name=BBC11Aug2010NoEnglandFuture/> Beckham was named in the provisional squad to represent the [[Great Britain men's Olympic football team|Great Britain Olympic football team]] at the 2012 Olympics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/david-beckham-set-to-be-included-in-provisional-team-gb-olympic-squad-7830913.html|title=David Beckham set to be included in provisional Team GB Olympic squad|work=The Independent|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=4 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004140255/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/david-beckham-set-to-be-included-in-provisional-team-gb-olympic-squad-7830913.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was not included in the final selection by manager [[Stuart Pearce]], while Andy Hunt, the head the [[British Olympic Association]], contacted Beckham's representatives for him to be related to [[Team GB]] more broadly.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18673893|title=Team GB: David Beckham left out for football reasons – Stuart Pearce|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2014|date=2 July 2012|archive-date=13 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413080236/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18673893|url-status=live}}</ref>