England national football team coach Fabio Capello said this week that David Beckham will do more than endorse Gillette during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Italian coach said if Beckham remains fit during his loan at AC Milan though the end of the season, Beckham will probably add to his 115 international appearances, a national record for an outfield player. "Of course, if he plays well and is fit I will include him in my squad," Capello told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I don't look at age, I pay attention to quality and David has a lot." At 34, this is probably Beckham's last shot for World Cup glory that has eluded England since its only victory on home turf in 1966.

But Beckham, a midfielder for Los Angeles Galaxy and former England captain, hasn't been roundly praised by football critics, perhaps since his early years at Manchester United. But Capello is confident Beckham will once again shine, and Italy's Serie A is a great place for him. "He will again do good for Milan because he has the right head on his shoulders," said the Italian coach.

Capello adds, "He's serious, he's a great professional and he's crazy about the World Cup."

On his blog, Beckham does appear a bit giddy about the cup. Over the Christmas holiday he wrote, "We have a fantastic group of players and I will do everything possible to make the squad. I had a feeling we would draw the United States and it will be great to play against [U.S. forward and Galaxy legend] Landon [Donovan]. I start with Milan on the 28th of December and our first game will be against Genoa at the San Siro on the 6th of January - I can't wait to get started."

Image: Following the footsteps of the great Roberto Donadoni is David Beckham in this portrait via AC Milan

--

Your thoughts?

• United States: highest draw for 2010 World Cup tickets