Beckham reaches 100 not out

David Beckham said he was "honoured" after joining Real Madrid CF team-mates Raúl González and Roberto Carlos in an exclusive club of three after coming on as a substitute at FC Steaua Bucuresti last night to make his 100th appearance in the UEFA Champions League.

'Great players'
Beckham entered the fray with 19 minutes remaining, replacing Guti with Madrid well on their way to a 4-1 victory. Raúl and Roberto Carlos were already on the pitch and the former Manchester United FC midfielder told uefa.com: "To be on the list with Roberto Carlos and Raúl is an honour. They are two great players who have done almost everything in the game. The Champions League is the biggest club competition in the world, and to reach 100 appearances with Real Madrid after playing so many games for Manchester United is an honour."

Nine-year run
The record is based on group stage to final matches only and stretches back to the 31-year-old's European debut for United in a 4-0 home victory against Galatasaray SK on 7 December 1994. Beckham also scored in the match, the first of 16 goals in Europe's premier club competition, not including qualifying. Beckham, a UEFA Champions League winner for United in 1998/99, is in his third season with Madrid. Team-mate Raúl reached 100 matches in last term's 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal FC in the first knockout round, while Roberto Carlos achieved the same milestone on Matchday 1 this season in the 2-0 defeat by Olympique Lyonnais.

UEFA Champions League
All-time appearances (group stage to final only)
As at 17 October 2006