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In Defence of: David Beckham

July 20th, 2009 | By: Rob | 13 Comments »

So, right now former England captain David Beckham is not exactly the most popular man in America. After his spell in Europe (at the behest of England manager Fabio Capello) he’s being seen as a bit of a traitor on the otherside of the water, in fact in the friendly against Milan, he looked as if he might do a Cantona, as he rushed over to where the Galaxy fans had been jeering him.

He claims the supporter had gone over the line and he went over to shake the guys hand and calm him down. Certainly Beckham is not stranger to fans crossing the line, after England fans said some nasty things about his kids he responded in the most succinct way possible.

But I think its all a bit over the top to be honest. I understand that Galaxy fans (and perhaps MLS fans as a whole) might be a bit miffed that he’s already seemingly looking for a way out, but to be honest, his reasons seem pretty sound to me.

Indeed, really its all down to the England shirt that he is so passionate about. Back after the 2006 World Cup, Beckham, who was then England Captain gave up the armband, and then was dropped alltogether by Steve McClaren (who was desperate to prove he wasn’t just a cut-price Sven). Most of us, including presumably D-Beck thought his England career was over.

And so a trip to the MLS to slow up the end of his career, launch Brand Beckham in the US, and raise the profile of Sawker in America probably seemed like quite a good idea. After all, he had no real reason to stay in Europe anymore.

Except, of course, McClaren realized quite late that he’d been a fool, bought Beckham back, and landed him on 99 caps. When he was swiftly replaced, incoming manager Fabio Capello seemed unkeen to pick Becks if he was playing in a less competitive league than any of the big three.

So now, with Fabio content to pick Beckham as long as he’s playing in England, Italy or Spain, does it not make sense for him to knock the Galaxy on the head and try and find a way back? We all know (at least in England we do) what exactly the England shirt means to Beckham – everything.

While he’s (rightly) not playing a full part in England games any more, he’s still a valuable asset for us to have coming off the bench, and you know how much it would mean to him to get to Peter Shilton’s caps record.

Its not even as if the “Beckham Experiment” has been entirely a failure. Certainly looking at it from a European perspective he has raised the profile of the MLS by a ridiculous degree, which the press interest in his return to LA has highlighted. I can now name you a bunch of MLS teams, which I could never have done a few years ago.

He was never going to single handedly turn the MLS into one of the big leagues. All that could really be hoped from him going out there is that would give a boost in hype that would help some American’s to understand that football wasn’t entirely a game for children (a side point here, but that seems to be the case, based on every single American TV show ever). A few American’s would get into the game, a few other European talents (Ljungburg for example) would go out over there, and the MLS would get more exposure from the exodus of ageing talent.

One of the great advantages that the NY Cosmos had was that they could piece together an absolute dream team – Pelé. Neeskens, Beckenbauer for a couple of games Cruyff. The trouble is that for the LA generation, Real Madrid already did that with Figo, Zidane, Beckham, Raul, Roberto Carlos etc etc.

Anyway, my point is, I can understand why American fans are upset, but frankly the reaction has been bordering on the histrionic. Maybe that’s more a sign of the times (see also Michael Jackson) but really its not worth getting that worked up about. Or is it?

Tags: America, Cruyff, David Beckham, England, Fabio Capello, Figo, LA Galaxy, Ljungburg, Man United, Michael Jackson, MLS, Neeskens, Pele, Random, Ronaldinho, Steve McClaren, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Zidane

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Comments

By Matt | July 20th, 2009 at 10:40 am

I agree with your thoughts on Becks and Scoocer in the US of A.
I now realize why California is so financially screwed. It’s the short sighted and infantile perspective of many of its citizens – like Riot Squaders.

Beckham’s action as a world class player is completely understandable by any serious soccer fan. His and other similar players presence in the US serve to increase interest in the game by a society obsessed with celebrity.

Grow up Rioters and appreciate the moment. Certainly you’ve had more than your share of it.

Posted from United States

By Unbelievable | July 20th, 2009 at 1:41 pm

Look, you guys have been ripping on players for years on your little isle. You rip on the french when you play them, the Deutch, etc. Heck, if we want to tear this premadona a new one, by all means allow us to eat our cake also.

He’s lucky we have the rule of law here and that the vast majority of people have something to lose if they TRULY cross the line. If I had nothing to lose I would probably get drunk, run onto the field and punch him for not playing hard.

The guy comes over here with all this fanfare and then doesn’t even try and play hard. At least play hard. Everyone knows the MLS is a developing league and won’t really be anywhere for 20 or 30 years, but come and play hard. You play hard and you explain to everyone you want to play for your country, everyone will accept that b.c you played hard. But when you come and play half-ass and act like it is a joke, f you!

So you reap what you sow. And don’t forget you bailed you limeys out of WW2…lol

Lastly, I think Becks has all the right in the world to play for his flag. But you have to represent your self honorably while you are here, making an outrageous salary. The US has the highest paid athletes in the world and we can easily recognize when one is half-assing it. Beckham half-assed it and won’t get respect.

GLTTUSMNT

Posted from United States

By adas | July 20th, 2009 at 4:00 pm

The thing to remember is that its not just about Beckham. The next big name who comes to the States is being sent a message as well. Don’t come promising you’ll work your hardest here if you don’t. U.S. soccer is still a bit of a laughing stock in the world, or at least a lot of Americans feel that way. To have Beckham, or anyone, do this is a bit of an insult. By all means, I don’t see it any different as you’re average American doing what’s best for themselves and taking that better job somewhere else. Even if it does stab some people in the back in a way. The fact is, in terms of soccer, or football, we don’t really have that international star as in all other sports. Our focus should be on building that star and not trying to rip stars from some other country. For soccer to work in America, we have to make it our sport. I don’t know if that can happen. I’m disappointed with Beckham, but in no way did he do this out of hostility or ill feelings. I think he really wanted it to work here. It just didn’t shape up like he thought it would. And MLS shares some of the blame for that.

By Daryl | July 20th, 2009 at 4:29 pm

From the perspective of Galaxy fans, I can see why it’s worth getting worked up about. As a Wolves fan, I felt similar anger towards Henri Camara back in 2004. It’s infuriating to see someone disprespecting your team by so blatantly wanting to be somewhere else.

As an England fan, I appreciate Beckham’s commitment to the team though, and can see that he’s in a tough position, especially as Capello has made it clear where he wants to see Beckham playing.

By Laurie | July 21st, 2009 at 2:28 pm

You make some good points about the English perspective, but you miss some important fact from a Galaxy perspective. (HIGHLY recommend the Grant Wahl book to flesh out details.)

1) Beckham and his people were instrumental in screwing up the Galaxy for the 2008 season. His friend Terry Byrne was hired on as a secret consultant for the team and conducted the manager search that brought in Ruud Gullit — a complete disaster.

2) When it became clear how bad things were, both Gullit and Byrne got canned. This led to Beckham losing interest in playing for the team and phoning it in the last half of the Galaxy season of 2008 — the reason the always-candid Donovan called him uncommitted and a bad teammate.

3) Beckham didn’t inform the Galaxy that he was seeking a loan to Milan until it was a done deal.

4) He’s lied repeatedly since he came back about things that can be verified to be untrue — most recently about the events leading up to the altercation the other night. Many eyewitnesses are saying that it did not happen at all like he’s claiming. Fans don’t like being patronized and lied to.

He’s apparently been a professional everywhere else he’s played, but he’s been nothing but unprofessional for the Galaxy since 2008. The fans have every right to be upset.

Posted from United States

By Neil | July 22nd, 2009 at 12:24 am

This is not worth getting worked up about, David Beckham is only interested in the money and that is that !

England need to get rid of him and move on with the younger generation. David Beckham is not even a big sports star in North America, no-one cares about him. People are more inerested in Basketball, American Football, Baseball, Hockey etc.

People in the US don’t even know how much he gets paid and when you tell them they just don’t care anyway. Why? Because he isn’t all that! To be a true star in the North American sports scene you have to have the capabilities to stand out as the best in what you do and then and only then will you get peoples attention – David Beckham has not stood out as the best player on his team, he has stood out as the guy that plays for Milan in his spare time and gets paid a fortune with LA in the process. He should go back to Europe and pull the same tricks and see how far it gets him!

If i was Mr Beckham i wouldn’t ever “break” or respond angrily towards all that’s bad that is said about him – i would be worried about loosing my huge pay cheque! Wouldn’t you?

He is a smart guy and he knows how to make the big bucks, but all good things come to an end.

Posted from Canada

By Finnegan | July 23rd, 2009 at 5:56 pm

@Neil Do you even watch the LA games? Beckham, when he’s in form (read: not injured) he’s far and away the best player on the pitch. He wins 50/50 balls in the midfield, distributes them all over the pitch. He finds streaking Donovan runs, and is instrumental in like 70% of the goals LA scores. David Beckham is by far the best player in the MLS and he knows it. And that is the problem.

I can understand why LA fans are angry and MLS fans as a whole. But honestly you can’t say you didn’t see this coming. Beckham is like the phoenix. How many times has it looked like he is down and out, done forever, the public hates him and criticizes him to no end – only for him to rise up and win over everyone’s hearts and lift his teams to victory? I can only hope we see that here for LA.

Posted from United States

By Laurie | July 24th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

Unfortunately, at 34 Beckham is no longer the best player in MLS, if he ever was. Donovan tops him, as do players like Schelotto, and possibly Ljungberg and a few others.

He’s a one- or two-trick pony — an expert with dead balls who can usually deliver good crosses. Other than that, not so much. His ability to come back from this one is somewhat limited, especially if Donovan leaves the team. This is especiallly true given that he shows no remorse for his treatment of players and fans and seems to think he’s owed respect simply for being David Beckham.

Posted from United States

By jennifer doyle | July 29th, 2009 at 10:11 pm

Something like 1/3 of World Cup goals have been scored on set pieces – played off of exactly the dead ball DB is expert at kicking. So, being extraordinarily reliable in such a thing more than being good at “one trick.”

Check out this from Nick Green’s blog, about the other things Galaxy fans can complain about: http://www.insidesocal.com/soccer/2009/07/guest-blogger-one-fans-rant.html

I blog about Galaxy fan whining DB here: http://fromaleftwing.blogspot.com/2009/07/david-beckham-argument-for-non-monogomy.html

By nycRover | August 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 am

I hate the Galaxy and I have for some time, but you guys are missing the point, the man tried to go into the stands, no matter what the drunk fan says, the million dollar athlete cannot go into the stands to confront them. He should be put in the same box that Ron Artest was a few years ago. let me sum it up.

Becks should be allowed to buy out his own contract and return to Europe.
The Riot Squad should be allowed to hate him.
But Becks should go down as a villain (not from the midlands) in american sports culture.

By Stef Oates | August 3rd, 2009 at 8:36 am

Hi,
You have a great site, I’m really enjoying reading your articles and completely agree that the Americans have overreacted. Although from watching the video you posted above there is no way Becks was trying to shake the guys hand and calm him down!
Anyway, I have an offer I would like to make you, would you mind sending me an e-mail so I can fill you in on the details?

Thanks
Stef

–
Stef Oates
Online Marketing Executive
Online Media Relations

E: stef.oates@omruk.co.uk
T: 0113 2079287

By football (american) | August 5th, 2009 at 9:44 am

David Beckham is the god in American football. I like him very much.

Posted from India

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Posted from Australia