Beckham has problem with nerves

England captain David Beckham has a problem with nerves when it comes to taking penalties in big tournaments, according to former Germany coach Franz Beckenbauer.

Beckenbauer said after Beckham's failed spot-kick in the Euro 2004 quarter-final defeat by Portugal that he could not understand how someone who takes such dangerous free-kicks could miss so many penalties.

"It's quite possible that Beckham suffers from a mental block at big tournaments," Beckenbauer said.

"He was sent off at the 1998 World Cup, and now he missed two penalties against France and Portugal. Beckham appears to have a problem with nerves."

Beckenbauer captained and coached German sides to World Cup victories in 1974 and 1990.