England were on the verge of not qualifying for the World Cup 2002 finals. They needed just one goal as Germany finished nil all. England were awarded a free kick 30 yards out in the dying embers of the game. On stepped the English skipper. He denied Teddy Sherringham from having a go and shouldered the nation’s burden and fired in a 30 yard curler into the top left corner with the keeper left flat footed. He goes by the name of David Beckham.
Anyone who watches football or is simply present in the modern world knows the name Beckham. He hears the name and is filled with a degree of awe and respect for the man. Throughout his career he has shown his immense passion for the game and his desire to play at the highest levels.
Beckham was part of a group of young players at the club who guided the club to win the FA Youth Cup in May 1992, with Beckham scoring in the second leg of the final against Crystal Palace. He made his debut for the senior team in 1995 against bitter rivals Leeds United. Since then, he won six league titles and a Champions’ League with Manchester United. He was a part of the squad that completed the historic treble and the architect of both the goals that earned Manchester United the unforgettable victory against Bayern Munich in 1999 in the Champions’ League finals.
Bayern had scored early in the game and were clearly the favorites to win the much prestiged Champions’ League trophy. During half time, Sir Alex gathered the team and told them, “Did you get a good look at the trophy when you came into the dressing room? You better get a good look at it. Because that’s as close you are gonna get to it if you do not go out there and get back the goals.”
That fired up the team and they struggled through the second half in search of an equaliser. Into injury time, the organisers were setting to carve Bayern’s name in the trophy. But United got a corner. Beckham took the it, Bayern cleared, Giggs crossed again and Sheringham scored. Thirty seconds later, United were awarded another corner. Beckham swung it in, Sherigham headed it low and Solksjaer stuck out a foot and United had clinched it!
David Beckham also inspired many United comebacks and victories by his unbelievable free kicks that left opponent goalkeepers rooted to their spot as the ball swung around into the top corners and dipped way out of their reach. United relied on him heavily for the accurate crosses and they were a force to be reckoned with at set pieces.
You talk about 10 yards, 20 yards, 40 yards, 60 or even 70, Backham has scored them all. Against Wimbledon in 1996, he tried a goal off 60 yards that irked Sir Alex and he said to his assistant, “If this boy tries it again, I’ll have to take him off.” He did try it again. This time he scored.
Beckham not only was adept at free kicks but like his generation’s top wingers, he could go past defenders and could feed his teammates with long accurate balls and crosses that made him a deadly supplier. Apart from his on field accomplishments, all his coaching staff throughout his twenty year career have been awestruck by his dedication in training. Always the first in and the last to go out. He would practise his free kicks till sundown and he would also occasionally take a 50 yard shot at goal and hardly ever missed. While playing for LA Galaxy he scored from deep from his own half into an empty goal 70 yards away.
He has trained with Arsenal, Tottenham and has had loan spells at AC Milan to keep himself at top fitness so that he would be selected for the national team once again in his late thirties. He was all set for 2010 but unfortunately he ruptured his Achilles tendon and was ruled out.
His dedication to the game in unparalled and unquestionable. He passionately led his country for years and was obviously frustrated at the lack of success he had. He is a club legend at Manchester United. In 2010, when he came back to Old Trafford to play in the Champions’ league fixture against United for his on-loan club AC Milan, he was the only one who could ever get such a reception. The whole stadium was on their feet applauding their former hero and some even had tears in their eyes. His is a name that rings throughout Manchester and fans shall never stop loving him. Even his stints at clubs such as Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, Milan and PSG have left fans and teammates alike in awe and admiration.
Today, he announced his retirement from football and as a Manchester United fan, it is a moment that is hard to swallow especially after a week that saw the retirements of Sir Alex and Paul Scholes. Ask any United fan, from Ronaldo to Rooney, Cantona and Scholes and Giggs, it’s our Becksy that won the hearts in a way that will never be forgotten. For most, he was Manchester United. He was and still is the first name on our lips when we think of Manchester United. He exuded the passion and the love that the club has always stood for. His name sends us into those glory years of the late 90s and the new millenium. Such fairy tales shall never be forgotten and they only come true at the Theatre of Dreams.
To David Beckham, wish you a happy retired life.
Ink Idle 
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