It is not easy to judge how history will view David Beckham. The most prominent themes when summing him up though are likely to be be how his fame far outshone his talent, how his talent was misinterpreted and underrated, how he changed how we view footballers and how footballers view themselves, and perhaps, just perhaps how America finally discovered the real meaning of the word “football”.
So he, his incredibly fortunate and willing wife and their three children (who look not unlike clones of each other) head to LA and fame, possibly success, definitely fortune and maybe even Hollywood. It is interesting to note that the further has moved from Old Trafford and the Knighted Scottish Colossus that each successive move has asked more and more of David Beckham away top of football. It should never be forgotten though that Beckham himself has never once lost sight of what made him this way – football. Seldom can there ever have been a player who so personified dedication while being so continually questioned. All his time in the limelight at Manchester United, Champions League, World Cups and Madrid setting such a superb example it is sad to note that the biggest lessons his team mates learned was that they too could have the trophy wife, Bentley, extravagant wedding and the expectation of adulation without earning it.
Beckham earned it; legions of his contemporaries clung to his designer coattails and did not.
Good luck to you in the States Becks, I have no doubt that the football fans there will appreciate you as much the discerning fans over here and in Spain and the rest of the world. I have but one single piece of advice for you and your family; when Tom Cruise starts talking to you about Scientology, use some of the words Roy Keane taught you.
