World Kick Off

England international David Beckham hailed compatriot John Terry for his successful outing against the United States on Wednesday, a week after his penalty miss in the Champions League final...

John Terry was the width of a post away from winning Chelsea the Champions League in their first ever final against Manchester United in Moscow, only to slip as he took the kick, miss, and see the Red Devils go on to clinch glory in sudden death.

As if the emotional baggage from that experience was not enough, the Blues skipper was accused of spitting at Carlos Tevez and is now facing a UEFA investigation.

Going into Wednesday's England game, there were rumours he may even lose his chance at regaining the England captaincy - which, despite holding under ex-England boss Steve McClaren, he had yet to wear under Fabio Capello.

However, as the former Real Madrid, Juventus and Milan manager continues his captaincy rotation policy in order to find his ideal on-field leader, Terry got the nod, almost as if to say that if he could come back from the horrendous week he had just endured, he was truly captain material.

And come back he did. It was not his best performance - ironically, that honour would probably go to his showing in Moscow - but he scored a beautiful header and remained solid at the back, completing a perfect comeback performance after his Moscow misery, and all as captain of his country.

Former captain Beckham, who resigned after the 2006 World Cup, hailed Terry's strength and class, as well as giving his take on the emotions that the die-hard stopper must currently be dealing with.

"Just because of his disappointment last week, doesn't change John Terry as a person and a player," said Beckham.

"He is still going to be a top class player, he is still going to be a top class captain and he is still going to be a great sort of guy as well.

"We were all happy he scored the goal for England and put in the performance like he did. You could see the emotion going through him and in his eyes once he scored that goal and was celebrating.

"There was a slight relief there for him but as a team and as team-mates we were all pleased and proud for him.

"You see that passion sometimes. You saw that in Stuart Pearce's face when he scored that penalty in Euro '96 and you saw it in JT's face when he scored against the United States.

"To be captain and also to score a goal at Wembley means a lot to JT and no-one can ever question him when he puts that England shirt or Chelsea shirt on.

"No-one can ever question his passion and dedication.

"John is still going to be hurting, of course, but he will get over it. It will take time but he will get over it.

"A lot has been made this week of the disappointment JT is going through and you can see the pain in him is still there and it will be there for a while.

"But he is a character who will get over it. He is one of the strongest characters I have ever come across in football. He has got a lot of support within the England team and outside the team and at his club.

"I watched the Champions League final. I think to just step up to take a penalty in that situation means you have to be a strong character and a strong man to do that.

"Penalties are hard because if you score one, you can be a hero and if you miss one, it is different but he was man enough to stand up and take that penalty.''

Serious

Of Capello's new England regime - who Beckham famously played under in a rocky but ultimately successful 2006/07 season at Real Madrid - Becks noted: "The players are learning he is very strict and very serious and, when you train, you train hard, and when you play, you play hard and when you are with the England team, you concentrate and wear that shirt with pride.

"The players know what he wants and are trying to make him happy and at the moment we are working hard and winning games.

"There is still a lot to learn and a lot of hard work to do but we are happy at the moment.''

The LA Galaxy midfielder also rubbished the notion of players not being motivated for international friendlies.

"You are wearing the England shirt," he explained. "That is enough motivation for any player and that is one of the things the manager said before the game, that he wanted a real English performance, a fighting performance.

"I think we showed that at times. We pressed very well and controlled it at times. Overall we've got to be happy and we go on from here.''

Chet Winter, Goal.com