David Beckham has stood down as England captain following the Three Lions World Cup quarter-final defeat to Portugal.
Beckham was first given the captaincy by then England caretaker boss Peter Taylor in 2000 and continued in the role under the five year management of Sven-Goran Eriksson.
It was Beckhams leadership in the final 2002 World Cup qualifying game at home to Greece at Old Trafford that will be most fondly remembered.
At the peak of his talent, Beckham single-handedly dragged England over the finishing line to qualify for Japan and Korea, a sensational last minute free kick earning England a draw and automatic qualification.
As Beckham spoke of his intention to step down as captain with immediate effect, tears began to well in his eyes, a decision made even more heartbreaking following Englands exit.
An emotional Beckham said “It has been an honour and a privilege to have captained our country and I want to stress that I wish to continue to play for England and look forward to helping both the new captain and Steve McClaren in any way I can.
This decision has been the most difficult of my career to date. But after...
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