I’ll warn you now this isn’t one of my typical articles, if you’d like to read about how sports can utilise social media, I’m sorry to disappoint you (this time), but I feel sometimes we need to take a step back from social media and remember exactly why it is we love sport so much. This is simply an article to say thank you to a sporting icon and a true England legend.
Growing up in England, football was my first love and David Beckham was my first sporting idol. Last night it seems Fabio Capello called time on Beckham’s extraordinary England career when he said “I thank [David] very much for helping me at the World Cup but probably he is a little bit old.”
Even though Beckham has always come back stronger whenever he’s faced adversity or been dropped in the past, even as his biggest fan, I would admit that it’s hard to see him coming back this time.
Beckham though, will never quit on England and give up a chance to play for his country.During an interview with BBC Sport in July he said; “I’m not ready to step aside. If I don’t get picked for England again then I’m very proud of my record, 100 starts and 115 games. I’m very proud of that but I still believe I have a part to play. I take each day, week, month and year as it comes. Like I say, I never want to step down from playing for my country.”
It’s this pride and passion that has made him so popular with the England fans. I’ve been lucky enough to see Beckham playing for England at Wembley, and the loudest ovation of the game always comes when his name is read out or he comes onto the field, and his presence alone can lift the crowd.
Many of you reading this will be from the US, and may have not seen the best of Beckham yet, but trust me, he’s one of the finest footballers of his generation. He is England’s most capped outfield player with 115 caps and captained England on 58 occasions, tearfully relinquishing the armband after England’s exit from the 2006 World Cup.
Some of Beckham’s most famous moments have come whilst wearing the three lions of England, from his sending off in the World Cup ’98, his revenge against Argentina four long years later and who can forget that freekick against Greece?
In an age where it seems many footballers take wearing the England shirt for granted, Beckham, in my opinion, is one of the few players who wears the England shirt with the pride and passion it deserves. If he has played his last game for England, his presence will be sorely missed by many England supporters, myself included.
When it comes to David Beckham everyone has their own opinions and something to say, but on this occasion I feel ‘Thank You‘ is all that needs to be said.
What are your opinions of David Beckham? Should he play for England again? I would love to hear your thoughts and continue the conversation below.
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It's always tough to watch great players when their greatness has gone and they come back to the pack. It happens all the time in sports but it's still tough to watch!
Great post Lewis. I think many people get caught up in the fan fare of the Beckham brand as opposed to the footballer. He has always been a tireless worker wherever he has been and is a true inspiration. It will definitely be sad to see him go.