Beckhaaaaammmmm!!

David Beckham is derided by all who watch and care about football. The man is known as a walking commercial and for most it is difficult to see beyond that. His football is rarely discussed anymore. Its sad for a player who once finished 2nd in the voting for the World Player of the Year. He was at the peak of his powers while at Manchester United. He was the least talented of the famous midfield consisting of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and himself but he carved out a niche for himself. His runs up and down the right wing were lung busting. He often clocked 13-14 km a game, about 25% more than most others. His vision was impeccable, understanding and creating flowing moves all over the park. Known mostly for his crossing, his passing along the ground was just as good but rarely acknowledged by critics. His pivoting movement was a work of art and was crucial for him to wrap his foot around the ball ekeing out that much more spin from the ball. And then there was his right foot. It would appear a wand, allowing him to place the ball at will at the feet or on the head of anyone he chose. It was good enough to be preserved in bronze for posterity.

He was vilified for being sent off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup. Given the option of leaving for Italy, he stayed and faced his demons head on with United fans backing him every step of the way. He won 6 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups and a Champions League in his time at United. Things went awry on July 1st, 2003. Beckham signed for Real Madrid and my adulation turned to unbridled hate. I was angry that he would leave even though its long been clear that he was sold against his will. I hoped he would fail and be shown up as a fool on the pitch. I wished he would never score a goal, never win a game and if lucky break all his metatarsals. It was an immature fan's way of dealing with the loss of such a treasure. I couldn't accept that I would not hear the commentator screaming "Beckhaaaaammmmm!!" as he curled in yet another trademark freekick for United.

Beckham didn't win any trophies for years at Real Madrid. His travails after Manchester United though have taught me his true value. He was a consummate professional who still approached games like a child during recess. Watching him come off during the quarter final against Portugal in 2006 illustrated just how much England meant to him. The tears wouldn't stop as his injury made him redundant on the field. The responsibility that he tasked himself with led him to resign from the captaincy when he had no need to do so.

Steve McClaren dropped him from the England squad. Fabio Capello dropped him from the Real Madrid first team. What has made Beckham special over and above his physical qualities is his strength of character. He trained harder and won his spot back in the Real Madrid team. He fought for every ball, every inch becoming a crucial member of the team as they finally won the Primera Liga. He forced McClaren to recall him on the strength of his performances. He's been belittled for moving to the footballing backwaters that are Major League Soccer.

His loan move to AC Milan appeared to be a poorly disguised shopping holiday for his wife. Yet Beckham has defied the odds again. He's scored twice and set up two with his crossing in 4 games. Playing alongside such accomplished passers as Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf, he's still able to shine. He's managed to keep Ronaldinho on the bench, no mean feat. He has also set up a deserved and record equalling 108th cap for England next week. Through the last 3 years, Beckham has made me appreciate what I couldn't see when he was at United. His best quality was never his right foot. It was always his will to play at the very top no matter who criticized him, who dropped him and who was better than him. So few have been the centre of attention for peripheral reasons but he's never lost focus of the game that gave him everything. His legs and lungs have both begun to give way and he seems older than his 33 years. He hasn't given up yet and never will. When his time in professional football finally comes to an end, may we remember that above all else.