Helped his club win the championship in 2001 and was rewarded with a call-up for the qualifier with the Republic of Ireland.

The right-back has not looked back since, gaining Champions League experience in the last 12 months as well.

He has been a fixture in the national squad despite the competition for places in his position.

He played in the disastrous friendly defeat by Finland, but that did not affect his place for the World Cup.