David Beckham, Is He Worth It?

                       David Beckham. Is he worth it $$$

David Beckham began playing soccer at the age of 17. He joined the team, Manchester United where he played and remained with that team for some 11 years. In 2000 he became the captain of England and continued to play and represent his country. Beckham is reported to have at least 100 matches one of the highest records in the history of England. He remained captain of England up until 2006.

David Beckham then moved to sign with Real Madrid on a 4 year contract. Beckham remained with Real Madrid, and in 2007, Madrid won their first Spanish La Liga match against Barcelona after 3 years, landing Beckham his first title since he joined Madrid.

On January 11^th 2007 it was announced that Beckham would be leaving Madrid to sign a 5 year contract with the LA Galaxy. His contract took effect on July 11 and he played his first match against Chelsea in the world series of soccer where the Galaxy lost 1-0 against Chelsea. Beckham later played with the Galaxy in the American Super Liga, where The Galaxy won against Pachuca.

Beckham trained with Arsenal from 4 January 2008 for three weeks, and then returned to the Galaxy for pre-season training. Beckham scored his first league goal with the Galaxy on 3 April against the San Jose Earthquakes in the 9th minute. On 24 May 2008, the Galaxy defeated the Kansas City Wizards 3–1, giving the Galaxy their first winning record in two years and moving the club into first place in the Western Conference. His stint with the Galaxy was less than desirable after his return from Milan. LA fans were irate because he missed the first half of the season, as many held up signs saying “Go home fraud” and “part time player”

The Galaxy was able to pull out a win later on in 2009 against the Houston Dynamos at the western conference final, a 2-0 overtime victory. His stint with the Galaxy could be seen as less than pleasing and unaccomplished. Before coming to the US to join the LA Galaxy, Beckham said in an interview. “I’m coming there not to be a superstar. “I’m coming there to be part of the team, to work hard and to hopefully win things.”

Not to become a superstar, he did and to win he did not. In 2003 and 2004 he was google’ s most searched of sports topics and the estimated deal to come to the LA Galaxy was $250 million over 5 years. With up the roof advertising deals and celebrity appearance, Beckham appears to be more of a superstar than a soccer player. The point here is not to undermine his achievements in the soccer world, though never having won the FIFA player of the year, but in fact to unearth the non propagated current day soccer giants.

Here’s just a run down of a few outstanding players that should have also been mentioned and put in the spotlight;

Romario, a Brazilian player who have won FIFA player of the year and manager of  Vasco da Gama.

Ronaldo, one of the best strikers of  all times and a 3 time FIFA world player of the year and also wine of the Ballon Dor. In 2006 he became the highest goal scorer in the history of world cup, scoring 15 goals total

Ronaldinho, recognized as one of the world’s gifted players, a 2 time consecutive winner of the FIFA world player of the year and European player of the year. The list goes on and on of these many soccer geniuses. Was the decision to pay Beckham 250 million a mistake, that leaves to be debated. Can we say that we did see a contribution and major improvement in the team’s performance since Beckham,that too is left for debate.

Sometimes circumstances and destiny can put one in the right pace at the right time or the wrong place time.  Beckham has truly beaten the odds and is now the worlds top paid soccer player. To all hard working, well accomplished soccer players out there, I wish all that same success and more. This article is in part created to stir debate. Please leave your honest, though biased opinions

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