DAVID BECKHAM - A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF ...
It has been another busy, contentious and ultimately successful 12 months for David Beckham. Against the odds the 32-year-old has finished the year back in favour for England - though it remains to be seen whether new boss Fabio Capello will hand him his 100th cap (a feat achieved by only four other players: Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Billy Wright and Bobby Charlton) - and is the pin-up boy fronting the latest attempt to garner support for America’s Major League Soccer, playing - between injuries and long-haul flights - for Los Angeles Galaxy.
After Steve McClaren dropped Beckham - England’s world cup captain at Germany - in his first game in charge in August 2006, the statement of intent was clear: baring injuries to other players, the then-Real Madrid midfielder would not play for England again.
Beckham’s head went down, and - also troubled by niggling injuries - the £25m signing was dropped by his club manager, Capello - a move that had been unthinkable in his previous three seasons at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The twice Fifa World Player of the Year runner-up and former world's highest-paid footballer, fearing his days in Madrid were numbered, hastily signed a five-year contract with LA Galaxy - the highest salary ($27.5m over five years) in MLS history; he is expected to glean $250m - in January, to begin after the conclusion of the Spanish season in July.
After Capello heard about the deal he vowed that Beckham would never again wear the white shirt of Real Madrid. The Italian backtracked however, when he saw that the former Manchester United trainee was working hard in practice, and he was selected against Real Sociedad in February. He scored, Real won and Beckham featured regularly for the remainder of the season. Madrid won La Liga on the final day - Beckham’s only trophy in four years.
In another volte face, McClaren - hamstrung by injuries - recalled Beckham to the national team in May for the Brazil friendly and a vital Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia. He impressed and would have been called up for more qualifying matches but for injury.
Beckham then featured in friendlies against Germany and Austria and came off the bench at half-time against Croatia at Wembley, although he was unable to replicate the heroics he displayed against Greece in England’s world cup 2002 final qualifying game, where he scored a late free kick to secure qualification.
It has been another busy, contentious and ultimately successful 12 months for David Beckham. Against the odds the 32-year-old has finished the year back in favour for England - though it remains to be seen whether new boss Fabio Capello will hand him his 100th cap (a feat achieved by only four other players: Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Billy Wright and Bobby Charlton) - and is the pin-up boy fronting the latest attempt to garner support for America’s Major League Soccer, playing - between injuries and long-haul flights - for Los Angeles Galaxy.
After Steve McClaren dropped Beckham - England’s world cup captain at Germany - in his first game in charge in August 2006, the statement of intent was clear: baring injuries to other players, the then-Real Madrid midfielder would not play for England again.
Beckham’s head went down, and - also troubled by niggling injuries - the £25m signing was dropped by his club manager, Capello - a move that had been unthinkable in his previous three seasons at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The twice Fifa World Player of the Year runner-up and former world's highest-paid footballer, fearing his days in Madrid were numbered, hastily signed a five-year contract with LA Galaxy - the highest salary ($27.5m over five years) in MLS history; he is expected to glean $250m - in January, to begin after the conclusion of the Spanish season in July.
After Capello heard about the deal he vowed that Beckham would never again wear the white shirt of Real Madrid. The Italian backtracked however, when he saw that the former Manchester United trainee was working hard in practice, and he was selected against Real Sociedad in February. He scored, Real won and Beckham featured regularly for the remainder of the season. Madrid won La Liga on the final day - Beckham’s only trophy in four years.
In another volte face, McClaren - hamstrung by injuries - recalled Beckham to the national team in May for the Brazil friendly and a vital Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia. He impressed and would have been called up for more qualifying matches but for injury.
Beckham then featured in friendlies against Germany and Austria and came off the bench at half-time against Croatia at Wembley, although he was unable to replicate the heroics he displayed against Greece in England’s world cup 2002 final qualifying game, where he scored a late free kick to secure qualification.
Labels: David Beckham, England, Euro 2008, football
