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Just nine games played, but it was David Beckham and Paris had been in love with him even before he had arrived. In fact, the world had been in love with the poster boy of football, and it seemed just right that he retired around the same time as his mentor Alex Ferguson. But what was it about a boy from London, who played for Manchester United and Real Madrid that made him this phenomenon? Beckham was not a special talent. Not to suggest he wasn’t talented, but look around to see who his contemporaries were — Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Rivaldo. If he was really not that special a player, then what made David Beckham such a big deal and that too throughout the world? Let’s take a look. Knot to be stopped
But Beckham, for all his limitations, has an unlimited love for the game. While Victoria was the biggest influencer in his career, he continued to play with heart. Even after leaving United, after moving on from Real Madrid and plying his trade in the most over-hyped league in the world, the MLS, he still gave it his all. Picture perfect
These were shrewd moves, and ensured that the value of the Beckham as s brand stayed exclusive and pervasive. Studies were conducted on how the Beckhams were expanding their brand. Victoria, long past her singing days, was turning her husband into the ultimate metrosexual man. The fashion and entertainment world optimised this opportunity, and for the first time in the history of football, a brand overtook the player.
His looks have long been his forte. He was of course a dead-ball specialist, but the way Beckham did it made it look even more appealing. There was something about his mannerisms, his hair falling over his face, the last-moment bend of his front knee that made the free kick look extra special. Men and women were obsessed with Beckham the ‘player’, and it wasn’t too long before the scandals started walking out of the closet. From personal assistants to Australian models, it seemed like all hell had broken loose. But just when the speculation of divorce and David’s world falling apart started surfacing, Victoria came to the rescue. She stood by her husband as they together weathered a storm. This reinvigorated David’s career. He improved his game, yet again, made a massive impact on the football scene in the US, and became a big hit in Milan and also earned himself a contract with PSG. Even off the field, the brand was priceless now. Magazines, companies and just about everybody was calling them the perfect couple, and with four kids, the perfect family. Stronger than ever, Beckham was on top of the game, and it wasn’t just football.
As early as 2001, David Beckham was the highest paid footballer in the world, clubbing together his wages and endorsements. Over the years, he became the face of so many brands that his global appeal increased faster than anyone else. Even markets like the US, where football is, well soccer, and football stars are not considered the biggest stars, Beckham cut out his own niche. But alongside these ventures, Beckham also took it upon himself to become the face of football in parts of the world where the sport was struggling to find a footing. Markets like Asia and of course, the US were where the impact of Beckham was felt the most. Also his tireless efforts behind London’s bid for the 2012 Olympic Games are well documented. He also has been supportive of Unicef and various other sports programmes that focus on development. Can Beckham ‘pass’? Now that he has hung his boots, it is time to think what happens with his legacy off the field and on it as well. Off the field, he might be getting even busier, as all brands still know the immense potential he holds as a brand. On the field, well Beckham, the player, has not been missed for a very long time now. What will be missed is his dedication, his ability to keep his focus in testing times, and also his unique achievement of being the only English player to have won a League title in four different countries (England, Spain, USA and France). In the end, it is safe to say that Beckham’s contributions to the sport were not limited to the field. He opened up avenues previously believed to be non-existent. Football was lucky enough that although its biggest global ambassador wasn’t exactly like John Lenon singing for world peace, he wasn’t a Jim Morrison either passing out on the stage. Legends all of them, but with very different tales to tell!
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Wearing
Married to Victoria, the
Spice Girl, Beckham has always been about style, fashion and more. His
hair-styles have been, and still are a rage among the youth. His
looks, (surprisingly, not his game) got women hooked on to football.
His marriage brought him into the news, though not always for the
right reasons. In fact, Alex Ferguson went on to say that Beckham’s
marriage had made him lose his focus. After all, Victoria was a
fashion icon and she was known for her ways before she tied the knot.
From being a promising talent, he turned into a ‘social footballer’.
The game looked like taking a backseat as the endorsements, the
fashion lines and all the jazz that comes along with it took control
of their lives.
For Beckham, the
life-long Manchester United fan, things were getting difficult at his
boyhood club. His manager didn’t agree to his ways, and felt time
and again that David was letting his team down. And then as
speculation mounted about a move to Barcelona, out of nowhere, Beckham
landed at the Catalans’ biggest rivals, Real Madrid. He was part of
the Galacticos era at Real, but also it was evident that Victoria had
pushed him for being in Madrid, one of the hottest fashion capitals of
the world. And then emerged a pattern, and people saw Victoria’s
thoughts behind David’s moves. From Manchester to Madrid, to Los
Angeles, to Milan and finally to Paris; brand Beckham was everywhere.
And Victoria was equally visible in the limelight.
The player
The Ambassador
Contenders to the
ball