Capello is aware of Beckham's qualities as a player from the time the pair spent together at Real Madrid.

But showing he had the stamina to last the pace still at international level was crucial for Beckham, who reaped the benefits of a gruelling pre-season with Los Angeles Galaxy.

Beckham said: "The most important thing for me was to prove my fitness and I felt that I did that. I felt very fresh and a lot better than I thought I would.

"As much as you work hard in pre-season, there is nothing better than playing in games and I enjoyed it.

"Playing under Capello before, he knows what I'm like as a player so on that side, you don't have to prove anything but proving my fitness was good. That was the biggest thing."

Beckham dismissed rumours circulating before the game that he was going to announce his retirement from international football after reaching the 100-cap mark.

And he reiterated his desire to continue playing for his country.
Beckham said: "I don't know where the rumours came from but they weren't from me. It is 100 not out as far as I am concerned. The wave at the end was not a goodbye, just a thank you.

"I spoke in the week about how honoured I would be to get to the 100-cap mark and I'm very proud. To achieve 100 caps doesn't happen every day and to have my family at the game, and the support of the fans, was incredible.

"The reception when I came off from both sets of fans was amazing. You obviously expect it off your own fans and I thank them for that but from the French people as well, it was an amazing standing ovation.

"I am very proud of that and, if there was another place I would have liked the game after Wembley, it would have been in Paris because it is where Zidane played. It is also one of my most favourite cities and I have a house in the South of France."

Beckham believes England can take positives from the defeat inflicted by a first-half penalty from Franck Ribery.

He said: "As soon as a new manager comes in, there is always a period when it takes time to get going. But he was pleased with the fact we passed the ball around well and in the first half kept a lot of possession.

"But if you don't score in that time, teams like France are always going to capitalise on it - and they did."