Position: Midfielder
Born: 02.05.75
Club: Real Madrid

David Beckham will mark a decade in international football by leading out his country at Germany 2006. He is one of the most recognisable sportsmen in the world and will be the figurehead for England's quest for a first world crown in 40 years.

The Real Madrid midfielder fulfils many roles - icon, trademark, ambassador, celebrity - which matter little on the pitch. Beckham's critics suggest Sven-Goran Eriksson values these almost as much his skipper's footballing skills, but nevertheless, those skills are plentiful.

Creativity with commitment is the combination on which Beckham has built his reputation. Few can match his passing range, even less can deliver a ball with the deadly accuracy that has provided countless of England goals in recent years. And when the going gets tough, Beckham clearly relishes the fight, and his stamina levels remain formidable.

However, his desire to win has been known to develop into something of an appetite for destruction. A series of red cards for club and country in late 2005, and the struggle to calm another England hothead in Wayne Rooney, have increased the calls for a change in captaincy.

France 98 notoriously ended in disgrace for Beckham, while injury prevented him from showing his true class at Japan/Korea 2002. One hopes it will be third time lucky when football's biggest superstar appears in the 'greatest show on earth' once again.