London, Aug. 13 : Arsenal and England winger Theo Walcott has described David Beckham as one of the world''s greatest football icons and one of the perfect professionals that the game has seen.

Days after England boss Fabio Capello stunned the nation by calling time on Beckham''s career without even telling the player face to face, 21-year-old Walcott said: "David is one of those guys I have so much respect for and any young player growing up should look at him. He is one of the perfect professionals in the game.”

The Sun quoted him as saying: "He''s a fantastic, experienced player with so many caps and it''s great he wants to pass on his knowledge to help players coming through."

Walcott pulled on the same No 7 shirt worn by Becks over 14 years and 115 games against Hungary at Wembley.

Walcott, was shocked to hear Becks'' international career is at an end because, at 35, Capello thinks he is over the hill.

He added: "David has been that special player who has always been there for me. The amount of e-mails he has sent and phone calls he has made to me throughout the summer has been fantastic. His words were very supportive. And, I have kept my e-mails just to wind up my sister, who is quite jealous Becks was in regular touch with me!"

Liverpool skipper Gerrard, 30, said: "I''m sure the news will drive him on and he''ll try to prove people wrong by getting back in the set-up because I know he loves playing for England.” (ANI)