Beckham can equal Moore's record of 108 caps for an outfield player if he plays against Germany next Wednesday, seven years after he also starred in a famous 5-1 triumph in Munich.
The LA Galaxy star, currently on 107 caps, faces a nervous wait to see if he will be selected because the club season has already ended in America and Fabio Capello has made it clear he will only pick players who are playing regularly.
But Ferdinand, another of the stalwarts from England's 5-1 triumph in September 2001, believes Beckham, who will join AC Milan on loan next month, is already a national treasure – even if some critics have suggested the midfielder is out of place amongst the likes of England legends Moore, Bobby Charlton and Jimmy Greaves.
Ferdinand said: "If you've got the caps you deserve to be up there. Nobody gave Becks those caps for fun – it hasn't been an easy ride to get where he is now, he's earned it.
"He's a superstar on and off the field and a top player as well. In an England shirt he's always put in 100 per cent and he was probably one of the main reasons we got to the 2002 World Cup after that win in Munich – especially when you remember the game against Greece when he scored in the last minute.
"People keep saying 'does he deserve this or that?' but they forget what he did at Man United before he even went to Real Madrid.
"He won five or six championships, FA Cups, European Cup, League Cups, Charity Shields – so he can't be that bad a player! He's won more trophies than probably Bobby Moore did.
"Of course Bobby Moore won the World Cup, which is the ultimate trophy. But domestically Becks has won everything. He has warranted being in England squads and England teams.
"I don't think you can compare players across different eras because the times are so different and the media interest is different. But in my eyes if you get to 108 caps you deserve to be there."
Even if Beckham doesn't make it into England's squad for next week's game when Capello names his 23 on Saturday night, it seems impossible he won't overtake Moore's total at sometime during the next two years as England bid to reach the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa.
What chance he could even catch Peter Shilton's overall appearances record of 125 caps?
"He would be going some if he could do that," admitted Ferdinand. "But if he does it then it will mean we've had a good tournament – so I'd love him to do it."
The good news for England is that not only are the senior team playing well these days but a string of up-and-coming youngsters – including Arsenal's wonderkids – are suddenly making headlines.
And even a Manchester United die-hard like Ferdinand admits to being a bit excited.
He said: "It's always good to see good English talent and you are always interested to hear about young English players no matter where they are playing. You like to cast your eye over them and have a little look and see how they are doing.
"It's encouraging for England. It looks like they have some real talented players down at Arsenal and we've got some coming through at United as well.
"The manager at United doesn't like us talking too much about the young players and putting pressure on them but I feel someone like Danny Wellbeck has got a real chance of becoming a top player.
"He's at a club where it's difficult to get into the team, especially in his position because we've got some quality players there. But he's someone who does things in training sessions that make you think he's got something most people haven't. So the future should be good for England."
Meanwhile, Ferdinand has given his backing to strict new doping controls being brought into football which could see players tested more regularly.
The defender famously forgot to take a test at United's Carrington training ground in 2003 and was given an eight-month ban from football, including the Euro 2004 Finals.
But he has no complaints at plans to bring football drugs testing into line with those for Olympic athletes, including a requirement for players to let authorities know where they will be for one hour each day, even on holiday.
He said: "I think it sounds fair. If it brings us up to the level of all the other sportsmen then I'm in favour. It's good.
"We get tested randomly quite a lot anyway. A lot of players get tested three or four times a season so it would be no different to what we're used to. If the powers- that-be say to move to that level is the right thing to do then we'll get on with it."
Ferdinand said his advice to young players would be simple.
"I'd say to them it's all part and parcel of the way the organisations are making it be. Whatever rules there are out there you have to deal with it.
"You have to make sure you're there to be tested and you have to let people know where you're going to be. It's as simple as that. If those are the rules you have to abide by them."
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