It’s hard to dislike David Beckham. It can be argued that maybe his football didn’t always live up to his status in the game but to argue his impact on the world’s most popular sport would be a waste of words.
Beckham, who retired from football late last week, played over 100 games for England, won titles in four countries and was arguably the most recognizable sporting star of the last 20 years. He was the master of the short free kick where he could weave the ball like a magician through defenders and past the goalkeeper. It would have been nice to see him end his career in the Premiership but alas, that didn’t work out.
Along with Pele and Maradona, Beckham will be remembered as one of football’s biggest names and contributors. The sport of football continues to grow in the US and Beckham can largely be thanked for that after his successful stint with LA Galaxy brought it plenty of attention. Along with Michael Jordan, he was the first to transcend into a brand name that made him more than just a mere sporting superstar. Women wanted him and men wanted to be him.
Beckham is hot property; he had moments of indiscretion but when you live your life so openly that is always going to happen. Since Jordan, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer have been the world’s top sporting superstars but even these two fall way short of the impact Beckham has had on and off the sporting arena. His playing days might have finally come to an end but the Beckham name will live on and we can expect to see a lot more of the man they call “Becks” away from the footy field.
