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David Beckham is more a con than an icon

Part three of Georgy Guiot's series on Becks questions the validity of his iconic status at Real Madrid.

by Georgy Guiot on 24 February 2007

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David Beckham: Not a great player (gettyimages.com)

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David Beckham saw bright lights and dollar signs in America, and European football didn’t seem as attractive. He saw himself on the bench at any other club around the world, but in America he’ll be on a stage. He could have gone to a club like Tottenham, and been given a chance to show that he is still a football player - but now he’s going to swap the Beautiful Game for the beautiful people.

A player in his early 30s coming to the end of his contract at a big club doesn’t want to end his career at a small club (in comparison to Madrid), although he knows that if he went to another big club, he may not be good enough to get first-team football. But all this proves that he is not a great player, and he doesn’t care about the game he plays, but would rather end his career with the respect of people who don’t know the game.

Beckham is a player I would not pay to see, and if you asked me to come up with a list of top 20 right-sided midfielders/wingers of the last 10 years, or of all time, he wouldn’t make it. If you asked me to come up with a list of the top 100 players of the last ten years, I still doubt he would make it. You have to have more then one five-star ability to be world class. Running around, giving your all and 'getting in there' doesn’t make you world class (look at Robbie Savage). How Beckham made second place for FIFA World Player of the Year twice, simply baffles me. Beckham’s lifestyle, his wife, the club he is at, has made him a so-called icon and great player. Playing with great players doesn’t make you a great player.

Look at Beckham’s transfer to Madrid. In 2003, Real had a choice of signing one of two players. One was Beckham, the other Ronaldinho. Now when reaching their decision, it was based on a few factors, none football related. Beckham was picked because of his name, his face and his lifestyle. He was seen as being prettier then Ronaldinho (according to one Madrid director) and would bring in a bigger income for the club. Not because of his famous right foot, or his achievements with Manchester United, but because within a year Madrid would make more than double the amount they paid for him. Not because he could maybe score double figures, and assist the likes of Raul and Ronaldo, and lead Madrid to La Liga, but instead because they could get a percentage of every sponsorship deal he would be involved in. They signed him as a product.

Now, look at Madrid and Barcelona since Beckham and Ronaldinho arrived in Spain. Supposedly, Beckham has done great things at Madrid, and has also peformed well for them. But tell me, which club have been the more successful because of that one player? Which club made more money out of football? Which club has the world-class player? If Beckham is a world-class player and has world-class abilities, then how come he hasn't had the same impact as Ronaldinho at Barca or Zinedine Zidane at Madrid, (and please don’t say he was played out of position at Real, he played right-central midfield).

Answer me these questions and then say Beckham is world class and a football icon.

Comments (28)

by maximus on February 22, 2007

your a dead set goose, have u ever watched a game, nearly every goal that real madrid or england or even man united a few years ago... beckham plays a major part in every build up either from his passes or crosses or corners or free kicks...

by Adam on February 22, 2007

absolute rubbish. as an arsenal fan i have no reason to like david beckham apart from the skills on display, but anyone who says he is not a great player is full of it. comparing ronaldinho at barca with becks at real is a joke, because real is a joke, and who is to say ronaldinho would have done well there? rather, compare becks at man u with ronaldinho at barca. beckham has won inumerable premierships, FA cups, and the champions league. All the top players will tell you he is a great player, just because he is past his peak and decided to go for the money in america does not reduce that. he has won everything, has nothing left to prove, and could still go on to win the spanish league and champions league this season. The reason becks became an icon is because he was a great player not because he hung out at fashion week.

by Ram the Man on February 22, 2007

I don't know why there are so many people who is jealous of what Beckham has achieve he had the world on his feet not you who talk bullshit and bla bla bla bla on and on and on and on on but Beckham still do what he knows best and you can't even stop what he achieve all you can do now is put your words up your ass.

by David Harrison on February 22, 2007

Becks recent form is the best answer to this article. Touche.

by duncan on February 22, 2007

you are so wrong about beckham..just because he has moved to a "smaller club" you say he's a con..your just jealous a can't be him..get over yourself and give the guy some credit

by Li'l Chris on February 22, 2007

Try putting a slice of lemon in the microwave on full power and it should get rid of those stubborn stains.

by carlos on February 22, 2007

Don't you have anything better to do than write these stupid articles which no one who reads it agrees on???? Clearly you don't have any pride or self respect else after seeing the comments you got on the first and second article you woulda shut up but no you have more coming out.

by Gary L on February 22, 2007

I think who ever wrote this bull **** has got nothing better to do than sit around at home all day long copping David Beckham. He's written 3 articles i think, all of which no one agrees on! I think you need to get out of the house more!

by John Rempel on February 22, 2007

Seriously it is people like you that give media a bad name. Your supposed to impartial but instead you are so wildly jealous that your comments become laughable. Becks was man of the match in the Real -v- Bayern Munich game - a game full of superstars.

by Mark on February 22, 2007

Your article is absolute sxxx. Seriously, Becks is a world class player and people like you need teaching a few things before yu o mouthing off. Absolute rubbish.

by Vinnie on February 22, 2007

You lot sound like you wish you were posh spice. Beckham was a very good player but not world class. Good article mate, these lot need to get over themselves and appreciate free speech.

by Leonard on February 22, 2007

You read this guy's articles here: http://www.sportingo.com/georgy-guiot/1000,435 All are about Becks, and all are negative. What a loser to jealous of others and make noise & get attention by hurting others. Georgy is the one who mis-use the beautiful language of English in exchange for his own beautiful article $$$. Get out of this planet, or leave you pen alone at lease.

by mike k on February 22, 2007

Recently, I've read and watched a lot of david beckham football and listened to many opinions. After watching Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich, I can see that beckham has very unique skills when he sets his mind to it. He demonstrated, he has a talent that every football team would desire, he sets up other players to score goals. I don't think he can do everything on the pitch, but what he can do with his direct kick's is score very exciting goals for himself and his teammates. He has the ability right now, to influence the outcome of any game he plays in. If you think he has lost his skills or never had them, find a copy of the Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich game of 2-20-07. Beckham assisted on two goals helped set up another, sent a striker free with 40 yard pass, hit the crossbar after a fabulous save by Kahn that was headed into the upper corner from a 25 yard direct free kick. I am looking foward to watching Beckham show his skills here in the U.S., as all of Europe and England will be watching by satelli

by soccer-gal on February 22, 2007

I' not just saying this becauuse I'm a huge Beckham fan,but don't you think all these stuff are just talking negatively about becks?I mean wasn't he the England captain?how can u become a team captain when all u have is looks?aren't we all forgetting that it was becks who got some of the most vital goals in the world cup and some other matches also?Well,David Beckham is a no.1 football player and nothin will change that fact.

by kennytandelon on February 22, 2007

i think you are so anti david beckham. u keep on repeatedly find all reasons(which not all are true) to condemn him as if he has killed your favourite dog

by Matthew on February 22, 2007

Another pointless and blinkered attack on Beckham. He's not the best player in the world but anyone who saw the Bayern - Real game would say he is still certainly a very good player. These continual attacks have nothing to do with football and everything to do with jealousy and trying to cause controversy. Grow up.

by Adam on February 22, 2007

From this article on Becks, it goes to show that this man doesn't have a clue what he is talking about. Hence Becks setting up all 3 goals v. Munich this week and getting the recall by Cappelo who was quite regretful for his hasty reactions. Which further goes to demonstrate why people like Guiot and McLaren do not understand the fundamental arts of football which David Beckham superiorly demonstrates.

by rob F. on February 22, 2007

Daivd Beckham is an amazing player. He consistently steps up for his team. Blaming beckham for the past few years at real madrid is unfair. Ronaldo was there. raul was there. Zidane was there. they didnt win with those guys on the team either. But beckham has led la liga in creating goal scoring opportunities, which is WHAT HE DOES. sure ronaldinho is a better player. he's the best player in the world. but to say beckham isn't world class is ridiculous. You have two world class players, one who's been an integral part of man u's triumphs AND can make you money. why not sign him? Look at his latest form. He's playing amazingly. All he can do is set em up. It's up to the other "WORLD CLASS" players to get the ball in the net. Many claim beckham is overrated. I sorta think he's underrated. I think his amazing talents get ignored because of his so called "glamourous life". Why did beckham get voted world player of the year runner up twice? because he deserved it. Aren't the voters comprised of football coaches a

by SoCcErGiRl17 on February 22, 2007

Dude, what did David Beckham do to you to make you hate on him so friggin much. Seriously, you need to go get a hobby other than trashin Beckham.

by nathan on February 23, 2007

rob F i couldn't agree with you more mate! and everyone else too who think's that the guy who wrote this and wasted his time is looney!

by Joel on February 23, 2007

What an infantile series of pouty remarks, merging, jealousy, envy, resentment, malice, immaturity, and total lack of objectivity. "You have to have more then one five-star ability to be world class." -- well, never sure what you lot mean when you use that word "class" but, the only response is...No. On an 11-man team, that one skill may make all the difference. Unless Becks is the complete jerk you want us to believe he is in every other way -- and which you cannot prove except by ignoring his play. What I think is really at root is a deep hatred of America, and a fear of it, too, a fear that, here, too, Beckham will be a success, and your precious fantasy will be challenged by American money -- its going to happen anyway, mate. Just how many of the top teams are already owned by Americans? What's most amusing is this: if Beckham had gone back to the Prem -- and he seems to be loyal to ManU, so he wouldn't, godonly knows why -- you'd be among the first to carp and cavil and taunt at another aging st

by jester on February 24, 2007

Beckham is a good player, not a great one. He probably could have been but at some point he decided money and fame were more important. Kudos to him if it makes him happy. Beckham would be a regular starter in every game in Premiership for any team bar ManU, Arsenal and Chelsea.