David Robert Joseph Beckham
A player whose greatness has been recognized much more over the second half of his career, Beckham is a colossus of the game and another example of the simplicity of the game.
David Beckham off the pitch is non-confrontational. When he speaks, he appears under-whelming, average, under-interesting and some might even say under-intelligent. Everything he does, on the other hand, reeks of ambition, drive, focus, intelligence, courage and nonconformism.
A player who has played with distinction in 3 of the toughest leagues in the world, for 3 of the greatest teams in the world (Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan), Beckham has certainly earned his place at the top table of football.
Beckham's footballing credentials are very simple. He is a master of the freekick and crossing from the right. That's really it. As George Best once described him, "He cannot kick with his left foot, he cannot head a ball, he cannot tackle and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that he's all right." Yet, Beckham has proven that if you can do these simple things better than anybody else in the world, you can go far.
Till date, there is no player who can cross or deliver a freekick or corner with the consistency of David Beckham. He is the footballing equivalent of Glen Magrath. Beckhams footballing success and his good looks and celebrity marriage have made him a global icon and one of the richest sports people in history. He has inspired movies (Bend It Like Beckham), and used to win the 2012 Olympics for Britain. He is mobbed and adored all over the world, and is the face of many a brand.
When Beckham joined Madrid, some of the players saw him as a marketing machine. But over the next 4 years, he proved that he was a footballer first. He even had Capello do a u-turn after the Italian left him out of the team, but had to call him back to help win the La Liga.
His move to La Galaxy was seen as cashing out by many, but he continues to play for AC Milan where he is admired and respected by fans and players alike. And two-time runner up for FIFA footballer of the year is not an accolade lightly given.
Beckham undertakes a punishing schedule by playing in the US for LA Galaxy till their season finishes in winter, before moving to Milan, where he will play till June, in the hope of making the team for the World Cup 2010. He has been doing this for the past 2 years, moving from league to league to keep playing at the top level, and flying back as required for the qualification games.
He is already the most capped outfield player of all time, for England, ahead of Sir Bobby Charlton. But his journey has been a tough one. Famously sent off against Argentina he was identified as the national villain and endured abuse everywhere he went for 4 years. It was only when his goal against Greece ensured qualification for the next world cup that his rehabilitation into public affection was completed.
Beckham may not start every game in the 2010 world cup, but if he makes it there and Capello needs to introduce some magic to win or save a game, don't be surprised if the man he sends on, is one David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE.
