David Beckham

[Lovecake]

I'm a big football fan and I do like Becks but the nation seems to have an obsession with him as an icon and role model. I have mates who absolutely love him.

What are your thoughts on him? I personally am baffled by it. He was never a world class player, although is/was one of the best crossers of the ball the game has seen in recent time and could take a class free kick. He allegedly cheated on his wife, and had arguably the most high profile sending off in the last 20 years, he doesn't strike me as the most intelligent bloke in the world, his tattoos are awful and his facial hair at the moment makes him look like a musketeer. I accept he's a very nice bloke and dresses very well but why has he become so revered by the public as such a legend? I know he was England captain and scored THAT free kick, but I just dont get it

 

[Bob!]

You sound obsessed by other peoples obsession

 

[Barn Door Billy]

Thank god. I thought this was going to be a rumour...

 

[Deleted member 18477]

I love the man. I'm obsessed with David.

 

[StonehamPark]

He was never a world class player,

What?!!?



Edit: You also sound jealous as fook.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

I'm a big football fan and I do like Becks but the nation seems to have an obsession with him as an icon and role model. I have mates who absolutely love him.

What are your thoughts on him? I personally am baffled by it. He was never a world class player, although is/was one of the best crossers of the ball the game has seen in recent time and could take a class free kick. He allegedly cheated on his wife, and had arguably the most high profile sending off in the last 20 years, he doesn't strike me as the most intelligent bloke in the world, his tattoos are awful and his facial hair at the moment makes him look like a musketeer. I accept he's a very nice bloke and dresses very well but why has he become so revered by the public as such a legend? I know he was England captain and scored THAT free kick, but I just dont get it

Totally agree, I have never bought in to the Beckham love in.

 

[Sheebo]

World class player. Seems a great, nice guy. Turned opinion on him after WC 98 which must be admired. Favourite player of my childhood and always gave all for 3 lions. Played with such passion for England. Loves his country. Unreal Free kicks. Best goal of my lifetime IMO (vs W'Don). Model pro. Yep, I can safely say I love the bloke

 

[StonehamPark]

If there was one man on this planet I'd turn for...

 

[Marxo]

I'm an England fan and if there's one player who gave 100% every time he played for England it's David Beckham. I can't imagine him refusing to be on 'standby' or even refusing to walk to wembley to play for England. I've never heard of a fellow professional having a bad word to say about him. He may not be everyone's cup of tea but he's not the worst bloke playing football, I can think of quite a few who deserve more stick than he gets.

 

[seven stands]

Made his utd debut at a certain ground in hove, 11 beckham's in a team and you won't go wrong ( apart from maybe goalie beckham)

 

[JCL]

World class player. Seems a great, nice guy. Turned opinion on him after WC 98 which must be admired. Favourite player of my childhood and always gave all for 3 lions. Played with such passion for England. Loves his country. Unreal Free kicks. Best goal of my lifetime IMO (vs W'Don). Model pro. Yep, I can safely say I love the bloke

This, except the love bit!

Seriously though, how you can say he was never a world class player is beyond me...
The bit about allegedly cheating on his wife is irrelevant.

I'm pretty sure he wouldn't get into MENSA, but what difference does that make - he showed passion for the game & his country and he gave 100%.

He's doing a pretty good job in these ambassadorial roles that he's doing - fair play to him and he's always been a style role model (whether you like his chosen style or not!)

Always comes across as a down to earth bloody nice chap.

I can absolutely see why a lot of people would hold him in high regard - I do!

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

I love Becks.

Outstanding and under rated player at his peak. Ive never seen a better crosser or dead ball taker, both under appreciated skills. Great attitude on the pitch also, never gave up and ran all match. Great energy also, when he was younger he would score a lot of goals getting up and down the pitch.

He absolutely loved playing for England which not many other players seemed to. THAT game against Greece was one of the greatest individual performances I have ever seen.

He is also a great ambassador for for football and has always set a brilliant example for kids. Never had as much natural ability as a lot of top players but definitely worked harder than most to get to the top.

Not many players get to play for and win trophies at United, Real and Milan, it certainly wasnt just about shirt sales, he played a massive part on the pitch at those clubs and he was really the reason Real won the title when he was there, he virtually turned their season round single handedly.

One of my favourite players of all time without a shadow of a doubt.

 

[rool]

If there was one man on this planet I'd turn for...

 

[Lovecake]

Thought this would create a bit of a reaction. The world class thing though... People I'd class as world class would be messi, ronaldo, zidane, henry (and scholes in my opinion). Beckham was never in that league. He was never a team changing.

My definition of world class would be a player who would instantly be in any fantasy team you could create. And personal feelings aside, surely becks would not be first on the teamsheet of a world XI of from the last 10/15 years. Feel free to disagree but I just don't rate him as highly as others.

As for his passion and effort, I really appreciate work ethic and tenacity and I accept he had a great work rate, but I just don't quite see what makes him stand out above others. I honestly don't dislike him and do respect him, but my issue is more with the obsession that has developed around him than the man himself.

 

[catfish]

I'm not particularly bothered but my mum loves him

 

[rocker959]

Thank God he is not in Team GB or the Olympics would be all about Beckham and his Circus plus having to suffer his miserable fizzog Mrs pictured every five bloody minutes in the freebie seats at all major Olympic Events.

 

[rouseytastic]

Thank God he is not in Team GB or the Olympics would be all about Beckham and his Circus plus having to suffer his miserable fizzog Mrs pictured every five bloody minutes in the freebie seats at all major Olympic Events.

Well now that's a little bit harsh.

Personally I'm gutted for the bloke, you can see how desperate he was to play and he deserves to in my mind. Clearly still has a lot to offer on the pitch and would brought some much needed excitement to Olympic Football. Have to wonder what else he has to do to get picked.

 

[BadFish]

Can't stand him or his wife. His football career was all about style over content in my opinion. He was very good, but nowhere near as good as people make out.

As a role model for the youth his flirting with celebrity just makes me sick. There are plenty of other professionals out there who are far better role models. Scholes for one.

Tosser.

 

[Icy Gull]

I'm in the not world class camp. Fantastic crosser of the ball as well as a top class free kick tacker. Led by example and very very committed but a bit one footed and no great pace and no better than qood at running with the ball. Definitely not world class on the field, unless crossing and free kick taking alone can make you that, but the image has been very cleverly nurtured.

I have never been a massive fan of his and have never bought into "brand Beckham" but have a lot of respect for the way he coped with the hate from the terraces the season after the WC and seems a great role model for kids. I totally understand them worshipping him but find it a bit naff when grown men do the same

 

[Lower West Stander]

Don't mind him really - if you look at some of his performances for United in the late 90s they were outstanding. It's his talentless surly show pony of a wife I can't stand - she seems to have had a lot of influence on his career and not always for the better. Perhaps if he'd continued to play at the same level as Giggs he would have been in the GB team.

Also see a tinge of hypocrisy in his constant bigging up of his home country but choosing to live in Los. Angeles.