Who was the first British footballer to play 100 UEFA Champions League matches and was at one time among the highest paid players in the world?

Introduction / Context:
The UEFA Champions League is Europe's premier club football competition, and reaching one hundred appearances in it is a major milestone. Among British players, one particular star midfielder achieved this first and also became one of the highest paid footballers due to his club contracts and endorsements. This question asks students to identify that player.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The player is British.
• He was the first from Britain to reach one hundred Champions League games.
• He also enjoyed extremely high earnings and global commercial fame.

Concept / Approach:
The correct approach is to combine knowledge about Champions League statistics with awareness of footballers' commercial profiles. David Beckham played for Manchester United and later Real Madrid, both of which regularly competed in the Champions League, allowing him to accumulate many appearances. At the same time, he became a global icon with large sponsorship deals, making him one of the highest paid players of his era.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List major British players who have long Champions League careers, including Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard and Rooney.Step 2: Recall that David Beckham achieved the landmark of one hundred Champions League matches while playing for top European clubs.Step 3: Consider earnings and endorsements; Beckham had major sponsorships with global brands and high salary deals.Step 4: Match these combined facts with the description in the question and choose David Beckham.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, note that Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard also had long European careers but mainly with one English club each and reached their appearance milestones later. Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen did play in Europe but did not become the first British players to cross the hundred match mark. Beckham's time at both Manchester United and Real Madrid provided more opportunities and media attention around this record.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Steven Gerrard is closely associated with Liverpool and is known for dramatic Champions League moments, but he was not the first British player to reach one hundred appearances. Wayne Rooney built his reputation primarily in the Premier League and had fewer Champions League matches compared with Beckham at the time the record was noted. Frank Lampard was a prolific midfielder for Chelsea but did not fit the description as the first to cross this mark. Michael Owen played for several clubs but did not reach the same appearance count in the competition.

Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates pick the player they personally like most or the one they have seen most often on television, which can lead to Gerrard or Rooney being chosen incorrectly. Another pitfall is ignoring the detail that the player was not only successful on the pitch but also a global commercial icon. Remembering David Beckham's dual role as elite player and brand ambassador helps prevent this error.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is David Beckham.