BBC - 606 - - A18814160 - Beckham no longer Real deal

1299 comments

Beckham no longer Real deal

European Football

by Phil McNulty - BBC Sport (U1816352) 11 January 2007

It wasn't meant to be like this for David Beckham when he joined the travelling circus that is Real Madrid's galacticos.

The man who loves a grand entrance - and a grand exit judging by his tearful abdication speech as England captain in Germany - faces an ignominious departure from The Bernabeu.

Beckham appears to be a victim of a change of philosophy inside Real, a move away from the galactico era to one of greater pragmatism under the ruthless Fabio Capello.

It ends a period of desperate under-achievement for Beckham at Real when it comes to adding silverware to the vast collection from his days at Old Trafford.

He will not, however, be deemed a personal failure at Real, despite his career in Spain co-inciding with an almost unparallelled absence of success for the club.

Real's fans will not remember him as one of their greats, but as an honest and dedicated professional who was always fully committed to the cause - more than might be said of others alongside him.

But he never sparkled in the way he did at United, and in recent times gave the impression of a once outstanding player whose days at the top were done.

And he did little at last summer's World Cup to dispel that theory.

Beckham appears to have made an intriguing choice about his future.

It seems he has effectively admitted his serious career is finished and so has opted for a last slice of the showbiz lifestyle in the United States.

Nine other clubs were in for him, we are told. The usual suspects from Italy, England and France, no doubt. But it should be no surprise a return to his homeland is not on the cards.

He was unlikely to attract interest from the big four in the Premiership, and while Spurs and London may have attracted him, and just as importantly wife Victoria, it is not to be.

So has he made the right choice? And will he be a success in the States? What do you think?

comment on this article | send to a friend

Latest 10 comments

view all 1299 comments

Read members' comments or add your own

comment by redconn (U2145708)

posted Jan 31, 2007

>>'chimp-faced slapper'

I'm upset you've mentioned that as I might pull that out the next time I'm arguing with the misses

divorce here I come

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Fullofham (U4257255)

posted Feb 1, 2007

Glad to be of influence:P

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by JimmyJJ (U3021199)

posted Feb 7, 2007

It's a great choice for him, I was surprised he took so long to make it. He gets a glamorous lifestyle, an amazing pay package, and a chance to influence the developement of the game in the USA - imagine how good their league would be if they were anywhere near as keen on football as europeans.

Of course it's a step down in terms of football. But at 31, having played for real and man u, anything is going to be a step down. he could probably make it onto inter milan's bench for a couple of years - so what? That would actually be quite pathetic - clinging onto the belief that maybe he can get right back to the top. It's much better for him to do something new and exciting, rather than do exactly what he has been doing for the last 12 years, only at a lower level.

Good luck Becks, I hope you can do something positive for 'soccer'

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Fergie's Last Thereom - The Rusty Gate (U7049142)

posted Nov 30, 2007

its weird how hes already raised the profile in the space of months much more than pele and co. ever did

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by GunnarMountain (U7023025)

posted Dec 2, 2007

profile?? If you mean he's made US's profile more visable...this is true...he has made US soccer huge...in every country, but the US. I think the giants going to England had more of an effect on American football in england then beckhams contribution of US soccer in the US. Just look at your BBC news. American football stats are now present...on the front page of the sports. But...check the NYT...and you will see nothing about US soccer in the dailies.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by GunnarMountain (U7023025)

posted Dec 2, 2007

heck...check to the left of this screen...first choice of topics...above all others...American Football. BBC could have said NFL///but that wouldn't have put it #1 spot.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Denchanter� (U2894071)

posted Dec 3, 2007

heck...check to the left of this screen...first choice of topics...above all others...American Football. BBC could have said NFL///but that wouldn't have put it #1 spot.
________________

Strange point. The bbc could have said NFL

The sport is American football not NFL. Much the same way that our sport is football and not EPL.