LEROY Burrell, Matthew Hayden, Rubens Barrichello. These are all men who have stood at the forefront of their field without being the greatest, yet none were criticised in quite the same way as David Beckham.

Football has never claimed to measure greatness on the number of appearances made, which is why the most capped man in international history, Saudi Arabia’s Mohamed Al-Deayea, still remains a shambolic goalkeeper who once conceded eight goals in a match at the 2002 World Cup.

It is why 1,000-game Football League journeyman Tony Ford is a name you may never have heard of.

And, most importantly, it is why Beckham’s 109th England cap should not be regarded as an insult to the late Bobby Moore.

Burrell, brother of Paul (or possibly not), twice held the 100m world record but will never be regarded in the same class as Carl Lewis or Usain Bolt.

Hayden once made the highest Test score in history, but his innings was only passing the time between Brian Lara’s two epic totals.

Similarly, Barrichello last year surpassed Riccardo Patrese's record for most starts in Formula 1, but neither can even begin to be compared with Michael Schumacher.

It is the same with Beckham and Moore. The whole country will always know that Moore was the greater player, and indeed the greater man.

But, although the achievements of Burrell, Hayden and Barrichello at least initially met with praise, Beckham received criticism from some at the precise moment he stepped on to the field against Slovakia on Saturday.

Moore's record of 108 caps for an outfield player was going to be broken one day.

We should think ourselves fortunate it is the sensible Beckham rather than the snarling, corner flag punching Wayne Rooney who, at least for now, has taken that mantle.

Some would try to make Beckham feel guilty for breaking Moore’s record, but quite what alternative he had is unclear.

Should he have abandoned England like that talkative soul Paul Scholes did five years ago, even though both players are still capable of making an impact today?

Beckham may no longer be worthy of an automatic starting place, but a pinpoint cross for a Rooney goal on Saturday proved he still has much to offer.

Even at the age of 33, he remains one of the best dead ball specialists in the world. The stamina may not be what it used to be, but give him the ball on the right wing and a goal may still be two touches away.

Barring injury or a rapid decline in fitness, that in itself will make him worth a place in the squad for South Africa, should England get there.

Far better to take the big gamble on a man who has been there and done it, than a 17-year-old called Theo who had never been there and was never likely to be given the opportunity to find out how to do it.

That sweat-soaked day against Greece alone meant Beckham never deserved the shameful treatment he received from Steve McClaren, a man who was always destined to go the same way as Graham Taylor.

Indeed, Beckham may not be the best footballer in the business, or even in the top one, but there are two things he does deserve. Support and respect.

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