Goldenballs? More like balls of steel (David Beckham)

Member Name: paulgood529

Product:	David Beckham
Date:	17/01/09 (54 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great athlete, great role model

Disadvantages: That wife? Really?

I was browsing through the general discussions in speakers corners and happened upon this - I have read a few of the reviews and I'm not going to tell you his life story, club history or similar - I am going to tell you why I respect him as a person and an athlete.

Obviously for myself, especially when David Beckham was just starting out, I had the inherent feeling about David Beckham as many non Manchester United fans of - git. Good looking, good footballer and the rest,

And of course, living in London there were quite a few 'true' Man Utd fans who could explain in great detail why they supported Man Utd because there great uncle's twice removed second cousin's sister's boyfriend once went to Manchester for a 2 week holiday in 1982.

Anyway, there is no denying his talent - even as he is ageing, he is still performning, personally I think at the top of his game. He is quite similar to Teddy Sheringham in the way that no-one really noticed Teddy getting older because he didn't run that much in the first place - he, like David Beckham, is an intellegant player who can pin-point a pass anywhere you want it.

So, my respect for him - and why.

In 1998, a fairly young (23) and still relativley inexperienced, on the international scene, David Beckham had a moment of the 'red mist'. He was fouled by Argentina's Diego Simone, and whilst laying on the floor, in full view of the referee, David Beckham lifted his leg to kick out, and trip up, Diego Simone as he was backing away from the referee defending his foulf on Beckham.

This turned Beckham from the victim to the attacker in an instant, and he saw straight red. With that red card, the face of every English man everywhere turned the same colour in anger, and I even remember myself being slightly 'miffed' - and the Beckham hate campaign started - especially after England lost.

The papers for months to come would be filled daily of Beckham hate, targetting him, watching his every move, waiting for a slip up making it almost impossible for him to go anywhere, or do anything. every stadium he went to was full of boo's every week, every time he touched the ball, every time his name was called, everytime he scored a goal. Every time he so much as touched another player - chants of 'Off, Off, Off' were heard from everywhere.

Personally, I got sick of picking up the paper everyday to the Beckham hate campagin, and I wrote to the paper complaining. That day, a lot of people must have felt the same as the next day, the paper in question had a 4 page spread of people's letters and asking 'Was it time to forgive and forget'?

In the 1998/99 Season, the year of hating Beckham - he played 35 games scoring 6 times. That was only 2 games short of the previous season.

So, all the time he was being mobbed in a barrage of hate - he was out doing his job - business as usual. His head never dropping, his determination never stopping - his love for the game never dying.

He also played 4 games for England.

Hossam Ghaly of Tottenham, about a year and half ago was subbed, and in anger he threw his shirt down at the feet of the Tottenham manager. He hasn't played for Tottenham since. About 2 weeks ago, Harry Redknapp named him on the subs bench - when his name was called boo's filled White Hart Lane from Spurs fans - when he got up to come on - boo's filled White Hart Lane from Spurs fans. Do you know what happened? He put his jacket back on and sat down because both he and Redknapp did not want him going through that.

39 times Beckham went through that in the 98/99 season - and if anything, it made him stronger - and it gained him the respect of so many people - including me.

So in 2000, when Beckham was announced the captain of the England team - I thought 'Yes, he deserves that'. I truly still believe that to this day. He has earnt his England spot, he earnt the captaincy.

In 2002, when Beckham and co. met Argentina again a tear almost came to my eye when he scored that penalty to give England the win.

What it meant to England fans everywhere to get one over on them, and what it meant to Beckham to banish all his demons for good.

People still question whether Capello should include Beckham in the England squad and I hear so many people say no, he;s too hollywood, he doesn;t love the game anymore, he;s not good enough. I suppose, if you don't want someone that breaths, lives, eats and bleeds England then OK no, don't include Beckham.

Unlike the majority of the England squad, Terry, Gerrardm, Lampard, Rooney, Ferdinand, Cole - at least he doesn't presume he'll be in the England squad - at least he works hard for his country when he is there and never shy's away from a challenge or a tackle.

In my opinion, he has been one of the most influenctial people in the Englanfd set-up since being named captain and when the day comes he hangs up his boots will be sad day for the world of football, and every youngster coming into the game looking for a role model.

Summary: A model athlete