The David Beckham story begins near London. Despite being so geographically close to clubs such as West Ham, Arsenal, & Chelsea Davis was born in a family of Manchester United fans and Beckham's ambition was always the north England club. On his 14th birthday he was taken in the Man. United youth program, and was lucky enough even in this junior stage to star next to the senior team...as their mascot.
Four years later at the age of eighteen he went on to play for Man. United senior squad. As his performance still needed some fine tuning so he was put on loan to Preston North End for a year's stint. Upon returning to Man. United he had gained some invaluable match time. Despite his teenage years, he quickly gained a place in the squad. During the following decade he became one of Manchester's most prominent players.
Undeniably his most successful season with Manchester United was 1999. The club achieved the envious Treble (League, Cup and Champions League) in the same season. David Beckham performed like never before and was fast becoming a star. It was at this stage that next phase in his career started. The celebrity was born. The era of David Beckham clothing, eau de toilette, and memorabilia was beginning.
It was also around then that he "trademarked" his famous free kicks and cross's. Seeing some footage of David Beckham in action during that period will settles all arguments regarding whether or not his fame had soccer skills and playing style as a basis rather than his good looks.
A low point - The 1998 Soccer World Cup
The Soccer World Cup incident in 1998 was was of his rough moments and his career did have a few. This was perhaps one of the most worth noting. In 1998 with the English national side, at that year's Soccer Worldcup in France. During round 2 where England were playing their long time rivals Argentina. Beckham was consistently taunted by Argentinean midfielder Diego Simeone. He eventually lost control and responded with a swing at him. This earned him a red card.
England was defeated and were eliminated from the tournament. All the blame fell on David Beckham. The English newspapers put him against the wall and printed some vicious articles. Any other player would have kept a low profile perhaps even quit soccer altogether. It was David Beckham's ambition that brought him back to the highest levels. His performance with Man. United the following year, again earned him the respect of his fans and the entire world.
Real Madrid
By the time David Beckham moved to Real Madrid in 2003, he was already a well-known international star. In his 4 years with the Madrid team he managed to win the Spanish league once, but his performance was deemed below how he had played at Manchester.
Many attributed this loss of form to the new system he was exposed to at Real Madrid and the fact that here he wasn't the only "star" of the team anymore. He was playing alongside to other internationally well known soccer players like France's 1998 Soccer worldcup star Zinedine Zidane, Raul or Brazil's Roberto Carlos.
Los Angeles Galaxy
Moving to California in the United States to play for the L.A Galaxy in 2007 earned him one of the biggest contracts ever in soccer. It was an offer David couldn't turn down. Despite the fact that the soccer level in northern America is not as high as in Europe, he took it as part of his swansong.
Today David Beckham is in the twilight of his career with injury unfortunately forcing him out of the Soccer Worldcup in South Africa. Irrespective of his lack of on-field time he is still a worldwide brand. His endorsed David Beckham memorabilia, David Beckham clothes, David Beckham eau de Toilette, or any Beckham DVD are still sought after and highly traded, profitable items and will be for a few years to come. When he does hang up his boots it will be interesting to see where this pioneer icon of soccer decides to take career next.
Author Resource:-
Goto Soccer Worldcup Legends for more information on David Beckham and other legends of the wonderful game of soccer.
http://www.TheWorldCupSoccerSite.com is the only "insider" resource you need to keep abreast of the up-to-date Soccer Worldcup information, team highlights and the latest soccer news as it unfolds . Visit now and get your daily "soccer fix".
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