CBC Sports Online's soccer expert, John Molinaro, takes you inside the world of soccer and offers his insights about the action on the pitch and in the front office.
Meeting David Beckham
Comments (8)
Thursday, July 24, 2008 | 09:07 AM ET
He walked into the room and I instantly forgot about every nasty word I ever wrote about him.
I just sat there transfixed, staring at him and studying his every move, listening to every word he spoke. He didn’t change my opinion about him as a player, but I have to admit that I walked away with a newfound respect for David Beckham.
Regular readers of this blog know my feelings about Beckham: mainly that he is a one-trick pony, that his skills as a footballer are nowhere near commensurate with the media attention he receives, and that England will never - repeat NEVER! - win the World Cup as long as Beckham is on the team.
Still, when I was offered the chance to meet Beckham on Wednesday - my reward for helping CBC Sports commentator Brenda Irving prepare for her one-on-one TV interview with the former England captain - I took it.
The unspoken understanding being that I put my feelings aside and be cordial and professional (which, of course, was never going to be an issue) and that I wouldn’t be able to ask him any questions (this was Brenda's interview, not mine, so I was okay with that, too).
After shaking hands and quickly exchanging pleasantries with him, I took a chair off-camera and watched Brenda conduct her interview, asking some of the questions I suggested to her.
Before we even get to that, I have to admit I was rather taken aback with the rather casual and laid back way he sauntered into the room. He didn't, as I expected he would, come traipsing in with an entourage, cell phone in hand, decked out in designer shoes with his hair immaculately coiffed.
Instead, he was only accompanied by his agent and was still wearing a sweaty jersey (he had just come from a training session at BMO Field), flip flops and his hair was anything but perfect. For a guy who prides himself on being a style icon, this was not his best moment, but he seemed to be perfectly at ease with himself.
Say what you will about Beckham - and a lot has been made over the years by members of the media (although not by me) that he isn’t the brightest or most articulate guy in the world - he speaks openly and frankly. Never once did he waver or decline to answer a question, or try to skirt the issue.
His passion for the game clearly came through in the interview, as did his passion for the English national team, calling every chance he has had to play for his country "one of the biggest honours that I've ever received."
I admire the sentiment, especially coming from someone who has played for two of the biggest clubs in the world (Manchester United and Real Madrid), but I think Beckham remains delusional about his future with the national team: he is intent on representing England at the World Cup - provided it qualifies - in 2010 when he will be 35.
Players with considerably more skill have retired from the national team by that age, cognizant of the fact that they owe it to their country to step down and give someone younger and better a chance. Sadly, Beckham doesn’t appear ready to go gently into that good night.
How I would have loved to challenge him on this point, but alas, it wasn't my interview.
Nevertheless, I was impressed with the genuineness of the man.
Asked about his plans after retirement, he said he wanted to make up for lost time with his family (he and his wife have three young boys). You could tell from the way he lovingly talked about his wife and kids that he is a devoted family man, and that he hates to be away from them for any length of time.
It was refreshing to meet an athlete who keeps things in perspective. David Beckham is the most famous sports star in the world, but instead of puffing his chest out, he remembers what's most important in this world: his family.
A first-rate footballer? No. A first-rate person? Yes.
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About the Author
John F. Molinaro is a reporter for CBC Sport Online whose chief love is international soccer. John served as senior editor of Sports Online's Euro 2004 website, which helped him win a CBC.ca Award of Excellence, and was the driving force behind our coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He holds an honours BA in sociology from York University and a print journalism diploma from Sheridan College, and is also the author of The Top 100 Pro Wrestlers of All Time (Stewart House, 2002).
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Comments (8)
NewfieLeafsFan
Since you didn't publish my comment in which I criticized you for your article on Carver, maybe this one will make it, as I agree with you completely. England needs to move forward without Beckham, they haven't won anything with him as skipper, and they won't in the future. It's their stubborn attitude that prevents their progress. It's the same idea with the Gerrard-Lampard centre midfield. England have several players that can do what Beckham does, and more besides. Plus, they don't come with the Beckham factor, although you could argue that media attention in England is a given anyway.
As far as Beckham as a personality goes, he is a likeable guy. Every interview he has done since crossing the pond has been genuine, and even during the circus last year he handled himself well under difficult conditions. What I appreciate most is that most of the focus is on the soccer, and not the Hollywood aspect that I was afraid would dominate as he came over. If anybody saw the Espys on Sunday night, it looked as if he was annoyed at Justin Timberlake for the shoe-sniffing incident, as well as the anti-soccer comment.
Posted July 24, 2008 10:01 AM
Dan Richardson
I don't think Beckham would claim to be the most skilful of players - nor the quickest or best in the air, etc. But the fact remains he is an impact player. When he plays for England he invariably sets up a goal. Check out the stats - they speak for themselves. When he stops delivering assists he should consider stepping back. But at the moment, there's nobody else in the England team you can rely on more to set up a goal. FACT.
Posted July 24, 2008 06:05 PM
Landon
Toronto
Beckham is for football what Trudeau was for Canadian politics: enigmatic, admirable, and an inspiration to those who wouldn't otherwise care about their field (no pun intended).
Posted July 25, 2008 01:18 PM
Emily
David Beckham like any other pro sports player needs to keep up a good image on and off the field. Lots of times he fails in both departments, luckily this time he did ok.
Posted July 25, 2008 07:26 PM
V. M.
If the player who can replace Beckham exists, England would have made the Euro. He was kicked out for a while, and then when they began to fear they might not make it, they recalled him. He even set up the equaliser they needed against Croatia. It was in their hands.
England are not Portugal or France. The best players in the Premiership are not English. If Beckham is not world class, then neither is Gerrard, Lampard or Rooney. Beckham has outperformed all those. Give the man his credit.
Posted July 27, 2008 12:34 AM
NewfieLeafsFan
V.M.,
The replacement for Beckham exists in those players, but McClaren didn't have a clue how to use them. Lampard and Gerrard have zero chemistry in the midfield. Zero. Capello won't make that mistake again. I'm not a professional manager, but Gerrard and Barry work awfully well together, so maybe a 4-5-1 with Lampard in a A.M. role would be how Capello will line them up.
Posted July 28, 2008 08:04 AM
Scott
Vic
It is absolutely ridiclulous to suggest that Beckham owes it to his country to 'retire' from international football to give someone younger a chance. Just as Roy Keane said last week, when you are finished with a club/country they dispose of you so quickly, out the door. I believe Gary Neville has the same philosophy as Beckham on this matter and that if your country calls, no matter the age, you gratefully accept, as one is duty bound. The only reason other players 'retire' as they do these days is they see the huge dollar signs of extending a club career, do not kid yourself and think it has anything to do with being honourable and giving a younger player a chance. There is not a right sided english player in the game who can deliver a set piece like Beckham, Wright-Phillips can't do it and Bentley has alot to prove. Aaron Lennon anyone? Of course Beckham is not a world class player, he has never professed to be, but he has been an integral member of two of the biggest clubs in world football and selected by managers held in the highest esteem, I will accept their assessment of a player any day and so should the journalist who wrote this piece.
Posted July 29, 2008 03:56 PM
Stephen Scott
Toronto
No player can ever make it into the squad at Real Madrid and win the respect of the spanish fans without being world class.
Managers and coaches pick teams, not the players. Beckham has always provided 100% effort when asked and deserves credit for being a superb team player and model professional with no pretensions.
Posted July 30, 2008 01:29 PM