David Beckham – A Wasted Talent?

Beckham could have been one of the greats yet instead he chose to be a celebrity

When it comes to global fame and popularity David Beckham is perhaps the most famous footballer of all time. He is a global superstar and celebrity who pockets roughly £30m a year from his various sponsorship deals.  Although he is regarded as football's global ‘ambassador’ the truth is that Beckham ruined his chance to become one of football’s best players, choosing the easier road of celebrity. As The Whitehouse Address explains, Beckham could have been much more than what we see today.

David Beckham is one of the most decorated English players ever to play the game. He won everything possible with Manchester United and is still now regarded as one of the best passers of the ball in world football. Yet the question is, did he waste his talents?

Beckham was part of the ‘class of ’92’ at Manchester United’s academy, where along with Scholes, the Nevilles and Nicky Butt he would go on to achieve great success under the guidance of Alex Ferguson.

Beckham would take the right midfielder role left by the departure of Andrei Kanchelskis. Not as pacey as the Russian winger Beckham showed an ability to cross the ball better than any other player across Europe. He became renowned for his set piece talents, being able to put whip and curl on the ball with such deadly precision. He was a centre forwards dream.

After announcing himself to football with his halfway line goal versus Wimbledon Beckham made himself the one of most important member of the United side between 1996-2003, providing over hundred assists in his time at Old Trafford. In the 1996/97 season Beckham would be awarded the PFA young player of the year award and came second in the player of the year awards after helping United secure a consecutive Premier League title.

It was the 1998/99 season where Beckham truly came into prominence. He was a major part of the treble success that year providing goals for Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham. His on-field relationship with Yorke was said by many to be ‘telepathic’ and Beckham’s assists would help Yorke win the Premier League Player of the year award that season. 

It was Beckham’s two corners which turned the game around in the Champions League final against Bayern and there was little doubting that the Englishman was the world’s best crosser of the ball. Many even were touting him as the world’s best midfielder and his performances in the 98/99 season led him to be crowned UEFA club player of the year. He also came second in the FIFA player of the year awards behind Rivaldo.

There is no doubt that the reason for Beckham’s maturing performances was because of what happened at the 1998 World Cup. After being knocked to the ground by Diego Simeone Beckham kicked out at the Argentine who did his best to make the most of it. It was petulant and unnecessary from Beckham who just four days before had scored one of his trademark freekicks against Colombia and was seen as England’s hero. He went from hero to villain in the eyes of many England fans after that red card.

The sending off meant that Beckham would be the scapegoat for England’s exit on penalties against Argentina. The reaction from English fans towards Beckham that summer was nothing short of horrific and there were rumours that Beckham would move abroad to get away from the onslaught. However he decided to stay at United and with a new ‘look’ Beckham appeared to have matured into a man after the summer. His performances proved as much and he took United and himself to another level.

An evolving United

The United team at that time were one of the best in the world, if not the best and years of success were expected. When United were drawn against Madrid in the Champions League in 2000 they were the unquestionable favourites. They were leading the Premier League by 10 points with seven games to play, where they would eventually win it by 18.

When United were knocked out of Europe by Madrid Rob Smyth, in his wonderful article believes Ferguson changed his approach in terms of style and formation based on that defeat. 

The 4-4-2 was working so brilliantly against English sides yet in Europe United were not as powerful; like Arrigo Sacchi said “Manchester are a very good side,” he said after the game. "their win last season was exceptional. Madrid, I believe, are more likely to win the Champions League on a regular basis. Their style of play, alone, means they are better equipped to dominate Europe.” And the following season Ferguson kept the same team together but approached Europe in less ‘gung-ho’ fashion. A change in formation to a more 4-2-3-1 appeared imminent. 

It may have been the chance for Beckham to get his desired centre mid role. In that tie against Madrid Beckham would a score a goal which according to Patrick Barclay in the Sunday Telegraph “made nonsense of the myopic idea that he be restricted to the flank.” It led to the debate that Beckham was ‘wasted’ out wide when he had the all the attributes of a centre midfielder. 

Well, Beckham had played in the middle for the youth team at United and had always felt it was his best position. Yet when he could cross the ball as well as he could, like Rob Smyth says “it seemed pointlessly counter-intuitive — if you have the best crosser of a ball in the world, perhaps in history, why take him away from the flank?” 

But Beckham was desperate to play in the middle, to have more influence on games. He had played in the centre mid role in the 1999 Champions League final with Keane and Scholes absent yet the four man midfield of Giggs, Scholes, Keane and Beckham was near enough ludicrous to dissemble. As Smyth alludes to United would go about on a change of philosophy in the coming years in the hope of becoming more suited to European football. Ferguson felt it necessary to evolve the team yet he did not move Beckham centrally. 

In the summer of 2001 Ferguson sought out Pep Guardiola to fill the holding midfielder role, yet instead decided to spend £28m on the Argentinian Juan Veron. As well as Juan Veron the Dutch forward Ruud Van Nistelrooy would arrive and the relationship between Van Nistelrooy's and Beckham brought out the best in both players. Beckham’s timing and accuracy of his crossing was loved by the Dutchman who would score 80 goals in his first two seasons at Old Trafford.

Ferguson's 'evolution' suffered some growing pains. As Smyth says “In the short term, the move was a disaster: by breaking up the midfield of Beckham-Keane-Scholes-Giggs, Ferguson killed a golden goose that was delivering a Premier League every season. Nor did it lead to an improvement in Europe.”

Nevertheless Beckham's performances in 2001 would lead to him being voted second once again in the FIFA player of the awards, this time coming second to Luis Figo. Man United had won the Premier League for the third time in a row, confirming their status as one of Europe’s best sides. However Europe still proved an obstacle and the personal issues between Beckham and Ferguson had started to increase. By the early 2000’s Ferguson had grown frustrated with Beckham’s lifestyle and made no secret of his disapproval of his wife, Victoria.

The inevitable exit

In the 2002-03 season with rumours flying of Beckham’s departure Ferguson chose Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to play on the right side of midfield in place of Beckham. In February 2003 the famous ‘boot’ incident occurred which left Beckham nursing a cut on his forehead from an apparent kicked boot off Ferguson. 

It seemed invetiable that Beckham would leave and when he was dropped for the second leg against Real Madrid (another exit and lesson to Ferguson) it appeared his time at Old Trafford was over. United would go on to win the Premier League yet it would prove to be the end of United and Beckham.

Carlos Quieroz had been hired as United's new assistant manager in 2002 in order to make the side more 'continental' and effective in Europe and I have no doubt that Quieroz saw a problem in Beckham's role and capabilities. As this article states, United were transformed under the Portuguese coach.

In his time at United Beckham had made 265 Premier league appearances for United and scored 61 goals. He also made 81 Champions league appearances, scoring 15 goals. In his decade at United Beckham won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one European Cup. Yet Ferguson had made his mind up about Beckham and he was shown the door.

Now there are two theories as to why Beckham was forced out of Old Trafford. The most obvious is his wife. Without question the relationship between Beckham and Victoria changed Beckham. Ferguson said it himself in 2007, "He was never a problem until he got married. He used to go into work with the academy coaches at night time, he was a fantastic young lad. Getting married into that entertainment scene was a difficult thing – from that moment, his life was never going to be the same. He is such a big celebrity, football is only a small part."

Beckham wrote that the rift with Ferguson began years ago when he began dating the then Spice Girl. At that time Victoria was at the height of her celebrity, and Beckham says “was dazzled by her glittering lifestyle.”  

Beckham sensed from the start that Ferguson was not keen on his glamorous wife, a feeling that became stronger in the weeks and months after their 1999 wedding. Beckham wrote that Ferguson disapproved of his wife, saying in his book that Victoria was the subject of many rows with his Manchester United boss, arguing that Ferguson "would have preferred me to have found a nice quiet girl who'd stay indoors, clean the house, change nappies and have my dinner ready in the evening". 

In an interview in the Sports Illustrated magazine, Ferguson spoke glowingly of Beckham as a ‘dedicated professional, almost a workaholic’, during his formative years at Old Trafford. But the United manager then alluded to his belief, often expressed in private, that Beckham became distracted after meeting his future wife and that his showbiz lifestyle might have changed his attitude towards football.

Ferguson stated that Beckham fell out of his plans at Man Utd because of Victoria, as she  turned him into a "different person". "She's in pop and David got another image. He's developed this 'fashion thing'. I saw his transition to a different person."

It was clear that the marriage to the Spice Girl changed Beckham. It made him a global superstar and an icon and although he was or still is a timid individual. However he clearly enjoyed and prospered in the world of celebrity fame. Fashion appeared to become more important than his football and he became an even bigger name than his wife. 

It is impossible not to believe that Victoria had a negative influence on Beckham’s football career. Yes he became richer and more popular, yet when you compare him to Ferguson’s favourite two Giggs and Scholes you see what Ferguson craves in his players and why Beckham was deemed too showbiz.

FC Hollywood

Ferguson’s desire to get rid of Beckham alerted many top clubs to his signature and even rumours of his arrival helped Joan Laporta get elected at Barcelona in 2003 on the back of promises to bring him to Camp Nou. However although Beckham was highly regarded as a player, he was deemed to have too much ‘baggage’ because of his wife and lifestyle. For many clubs he was not a viable option. 

Just listen to what Uli Hoeness said about a proposed move to Bayern, "Beckham is a very good player, but how could he be a good professional, being dragged from one catwalk to another? From a sporting point of view, Beckham would appeal to us very much...but not when I think about it and realise it would mean his wife - that Spice Girl - coming with him. That would be great for the media, but not for us. We can do without that kind of circus. With all the business with his wife, it would mean FC Hollywood would return here.”

FC Hollywood. That is how Beckham was thought of by one of Europe's top clubs. And I am sure Ferguson felt the same. 

In some ways a real shame because Beckham was an excellent footballer yet he made a decision or fell in love with a Spice Girl and had chosen to forsake his reputation and football career for his wife. His decision to marry Victoria can be said to have killed his footballing career and potential. He had so much more to offer the game yet since his move away from Old Trafford it is hard not to sum up his career since as a circus. 

Real Madrid, the club of the Galactico’s appeared the only viable move for Beckham and his brand. His relationship with adidas was a big part of the move as well as the fact that Madrid’s president Florentino Perez was seeking ‘star appeal’. Beckham would join a team glittered with some of the world’s best players; Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Raul and Roberto Carlos to name a few. Yet the ‘Galactico’ project was something of a failure and Beckham’s career suffered for it. 

Madrid became something of a joke, being blessed with so much talent yet without any guidance or plan. Beckham did not win a trophy till 2007. The clubs decision to sell Claude Makelele to Chelsea and replace him with Beckham was in a football perspective lunacy and the new coach Carlos Querioz was left perplexed at this decision. 

Quieroz chose to play a 3-5-2 formation which saw Beckham play in a three man midfield with Zidane and Figo. It was perhaps the start of a new era for him, a move to the central position he craved. Yet this was not a midfield with 'balance' and Quieroz never got to make an impact after only lasting a season. The constant changes at Madrid meant Beckham failed to have any sort of continuity.

It is hard not to see his move to Madrid as nothing but a marketing move, like his career since teams don’t want Beckham’s footballing ability but his brand. This is where there is a dichotomy between the player and his ‘brand’. I believe that Beckham is one of the most hardworking and professional footballers in the game, yet he has tarnished his ability and reputation because of his lifestyle choices.

Under Fabio Capello Beckham was not favoured, the Italian saw him as nothing but a showbiz celebrity. However he found out that Beckham actually was a hard working professional who could offer the team something. Beckham would go on to win their only La Liga title in that 06/07 season with Beckham having a starring role in the final months in his right midfield position.

Perhaps because of how Madrid handled him in that final season or more likely that his wife wanted to kickstart her faltering career, Beckham signed a five year deal to play for the LA Galaxy in the MLS. It was the nail in the coffin on his football career.

Madrid’s club president Calderón said that Beckham is "going to Hollywood to be half a film star", adding "our technical staff were right not to extend his contract, which has been proved by the fact that no other technical staff in the world wanted him except Los Angeles.” Harsh words yet there is a grain of truth to this farewell speech, the move to LA was confirmation that Beckham was now seen only as a brand, as a celebrity and that his wife was the dictator to his career.

Brand Beckham

Beckham's  career has seen him become the face of adidas and they have profited hugely from him. He was given a five year, $32.5 million deal on his move to LA, a deal which was actually covered by all 14 MLS teams, as they were hoping that he would increase the image of the MLS. Beckham spoke like some sort of 'Jesus' type character, bringing 'soccer to America’ yet the truth was he was never going to change the culture of the US where soccer is not valued highly compared to the top US sports. 

If Beckham genuinely considers himself as some sort of ‘global football ambassador’ spreading the word of football to those nations who do not regard it as highly as other countries then it truly is an embarrassment and waste of a career which offered so much yet in the end sold out to the riches of celebrity.

A loan move back to Milan proved that he still could play in Europe yet he made his decision to give up top level football by moving to LA. Although he won the MLS twice in his final two seasons the move was seen as a failure by many, both in terms of his goal to increase the popularity of the MLS and his development as a player.

Now at Paris Saint Germain under his ex-Milan coach Ancelotti Beckham is showing still that he has the ability to play. He still shows impressive stamina and his eye for a pass is excellent, however you cannot help but look at Beckham and see a player who ruined the past decade of his career due to poor decisions and lifestyle choices.

Everything about Beckham now appears a media PR stunt. Take his decision to give his wages at PSG to a local children’s home. On the face of it appears a noble act yet you can’t help but think cynically about it. Why be so vocal about in the press conference unless it is just another way to promote brand ‘Beckham’ and put PSG's emblem around the world's media networks. Charity need not be so public and involve such selfish motives. It is a shame to see where Beckham has taken his career.

Did the game pass him by?

Fabian Barthez, Beckham’s ex-teammate states that "On a professional level, he is very rigorous. He is a hard worker, and if you doubt it you must ask yourself why he is still playing football at his age. If he had not been committed, he wouldn't still be playing" And on this note you cannot fault what he says. Yet it does beg the question as to what Beckham’s could have been."

Earlier I said there were two reasons for his decision to ‘sell out’ and the second one is to consider if the game simply evolved past him. 

In the summer of 2003 United were seeking out two players to replace Beckham; Ronaldinho and Arjen Robben. Two very quick dribblers who could beat players for fun and who could score as well as create goals. United missed out on both yet they brought in Cristiano Ronaldo instead. The difference between Beckham and Ronaldo was evident. The modern winger was not a crosser but a forward, he was now the goalscorer. 

Van Nistelrooy did not like it, he missed Beckham's deliveries, yet both players can be said to be players of the 90’s. Ronaldo was kept and Dutchman moved out. The players of the 90's were replaced by the modern 21st century player. Classic wide play, the English crossing and finishing was a dying style. A dynamic inside forward was the future, a player who would drive inside. 

Is it plausible that Beckham was simply not suited to the modern game? He lacked explosive pace and simply could not do what Ronaldinho or Ronaldo could. United became more modern and more successful and Barcelona must have felt that they dodged a bullet by not getting Beckham and landing Ronaldinho instead.

And yet….

Was Beckham not the most natural and perfectly suited regista in the game? When we consider the talents and acclaim that players such as Veron, Scholes and Pirlo receive playing in the deep lying playmaker position, surely Beckham could have prospered in that role. Yes the modern game made his role as a ‘right mid’ near redundant yet the role of the ‘quarterback’ was surely his calling? 

If Beckham had made a better choice after United, if he had been moved centrally I am positive that he could have been regarded as highly as Pirlo, Scholes or Veron. All the attributes were there; passing, stamina, vision, creativity. Perhaps he would never have left United and could have been playing the ‘Scholes’ role still.

Yet Beckham made his decision to become ‘bigger than football’ and although he is a global superstar and icon he is regarded as a ‘wasted talent’. His decisions this past decade have meant that he will not be remembered as one of the best ever, only perhaps as ‘what could have been’. In a footballing perspective Beckham has been a disappointment, a player who promised so much yet who wasted his talents by choosing the world of celebrity and fame. 

The Whitehouse Address 

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