Ex-England captain David Beckham believes Wayne Rooney's presence on a Three Lions' team sheet still sends a shiver of fear down the spines of the opposition.
England were held to a goalless draw by Honduras in their final warm up match ahead of the World Cup - and there have been suggestions in the media that Rooney's place in Roy Hodgson's England starting line-up against Italy next Saturday is not assured.
But the former Manchester United midfielder, Beckham, is convinced that Rooney still has plenty to offer on the biggest stage of all.
"When opposing teams see Wayne Rooney's name on an England team-sheet, it still scares them," says Beckham, in comments appearing in several British newspapers.
"I will always back Wazza because he is a great talent and a great player for England.
"It's all about confidence with strikers, but Wazza has always been about more than just scoring goals.
"He's a goalscorer, but he works hard for the team and that is what Wayne's game has always been about. If he doesn't score goals, he's either assisting or creating something for the team. He is a creator as well as a scorer," Beckham continued.
"Every time he has stepped out in an England shirt, he has always given 110 percent. When Wazza turns up, he always gives everything."