Ben Davies is setting his sights on history. The Tottenham Hotspur defender has become the fourth male player to reach 100 international caps for Wales, joining the elite company of Gareth Bale, Wayne Hennessey, and Chris Gunter. With a century of appearances under his belt, Davies now has his eyes on surpassing Bale’s record of 111 caps, a milestone set by his former Spurs teammate before retiring after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Davies Reaches 100 Caps for Wales
The 32-year-old left-back achieved his landmark 100th cap during the recent World Cup qualifying match against Belgium on 13 October 2025, where he captained Wales in a 4-2 defeat.
Reflecting on this achievement, Davies told the Feast of Football podcast:
“It’s definitely a target that’s in sight… Your targets keep moving on. All the time, you have that 100 one in line and I guess the next step is to try and get to 112.”
Davies made his senior Wales debut in 2012 in a 2-1 win against Scotland and has been a consistent figure for the national team ever since.
A Career of Milestones
Born in Neath, Davies progressed through the Swansea City academy before joining Tottenham in 2014. Over the years, he has reached key milestones with Wales:
- First cap: 2012
- 50th cap: milestone recognition
- 100th cap: October 2025
Despite these personal achievements, Davies emphasizes that his focus remains on team success rather than individual accolades:
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s not about those personal milestones, I still just want Wales to do well more than anything and if I can contribute to that then all the better.”
The Craig Bellamy Effect
Davies has been a pivotal player under Wales manager Craig Bellamy, featuring in all 14 matches since Bellamy took charge. The left-back credits Bellamy’s high standards, intensity, and leadership for raising the level of the national team.
“The biggest thing is the standards he sets… You’d expect him to be on your case, you’d have to perform in training, you’d have to be on time, because if you weren’t, he’d let you know.”
Davies regards Bellamy as one of the best leaders and mentors he has played under, praising his transition from captain to coach:
“We’ve got a really talented manager and someone who I think within Welsh football we’re very lucky to have where he is now because he can go on to do bigger and better things.”
Club Career: Tottenham Hotspur
While Davies shines internationally, his club season at Tottenham Hotspur has been less straightforward. He has yet to feature competitively under Spurs manager Thomas Frank this season and suffered a hamstring injury during his 100th Wales cap match.
Speaking on his current club situation, Davies reflected:
“It’s part and parcel of football… Things change really quickly in the world of football. It’s not ideal, it’s not where I want to be, every player wants to play games… Head down, keep working hard and I’m sure I’ll get my games in when they come.”
The Swansea academy graduate’s contract with Spurs is set to expire next summer, but his determination suggests he still has a role to play at the club.
Looking Ahead: Surpassing Bale’s Record
With Bale’s 111 caps in sight, Davies’ next goal is clear: to etch his name into Welsh football history as the most-capped male player for Wales. His international experience, leadership, and longevity in the squad make him a strong candidate to achieve this landmark.
As Wales continue their World Cup qualifying campaign and prepare for future international fixtures, Davies’ blend of experience and ambition will remain crucial to the team’s success.
Key Takeaways
- Ben Davies has reached 100 international caps for Wales.
- He aims to surpass Gareth Bale’s record of 111 caps.
- Davies debuted for Wales in 2012 and has been a mainstay under Craig Bellamy.
- He remains committed to Wales’ success over personal milestones.
- At club level, Davies continues to fight for playing time at Tottenham Hotspur, despite injury setbacks.
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