Ben Davies is inching closer to becoming Welsh football's latest male centurion. The 32-year-old is set to join Chris Gunter, Gareth Bale and Wayne Hennessey in the 100-cap club in Monday's crucial World Cup qualifier against Belgium in Cardiff. Davies is a reluctant star.
Ben Davies is inching closer to becoming Welsh football's latest male centurion.
The 32-year-old is set to join Chris Gunter, Gareth Bale and Wayne Hennessey in the 100-cap club in Monday's crucial World Cup qualifier against Belgium in Cardiff.
The Tottenham defender has been a mainstay of the national team since his debut in 2012, featuring in three major tournaments during a golden period.
Davies is a reluctant star. He is the rock around which Wales' defence is built, yet he is not celebrated like some of his peers.
That is partly by design from Davies, who is happy to cloak himself in the relative anonymity which comes with having played alongside the likes of Bale and Harry Kane.
Davies is also now Spurs' longest-serving current player, with more than 300 appearances to his name.
He was close to being named Wales' permanent captain when Aaron Ramsey succeeded Bale in 2023 but, given Ramsey's frequent absences because of injury, Davies is getting used to wearing the armband.
He is expected to lead the team against Belgium and, in doing so, will become only the fourth man to earn 100 caps for Wales.
Davies will be as important a player as ever for Wales but, given the huge stakes for both teams and their World Cup hopes, his achievement may not get the attention it might have done. Just as he likes it.
Category: General Sports
