David Beckham made his full debut for AC Milan on Sunday against Roma, a game in which he played 89 minutes and that ended in a 2-2 draw.
For those who doubt and continually question Beckham's worth on a football pitch, and there are a large number, here are a few statistics from the match on Sunday:
Minutes played - 89
Shots on target - 1
Shots off target - 0
Key passes - 1
Long passes - 7
Long-pass accuracy - 100%
Passes - 64
Pass completion - 84%
Crosses - 12
Cross completion - 8%
Tackles - 2
Tackles won - 100%
Fouls conceded - 1
Fouls won - 2
These, to anyone who understands statistics, are are pretty impressive considering this is Beckham's first competitive match since his season with LA Galaxy ended on 26 October. Ironically, these figures were published to run alongside a story that threw up every word and phrase in the book that suggests Beckham is no longer good enough to play football, let alone in Serie A. Perhaps the journalist didn't understand the figures or perhaps he thought that Beckham's 'long-pass accuracy' used to be 200% when he was in his 'prime'. Of course, you can't get better than 100%, but at times you'd think that you can with the level of dissatisfaction that was voiced in this particular article.
It appears that Beckham can't step onto a football pitch these days without people questioning his ability which leads to the inevitable "quit while your ahead Becks" message being relayed across all media platforms, as if they're doing him a favour. In truth Beckham has probably created more work for journalists and critics (certainly critics) than any other sporting figure in the history of sport. But what is it that annoys these people to the extent of criticising a player who, quite clearly on the above evidence, can still cut it at the top-level?
Like it or not, Beckham seems destined to equal the late, great, Bobby Moore's 108 cap landmark for England making him the second most-capped player behind Peter Shilton, who amassed 125 caps as goalkeeper between 1970 and 1990. There have been some ridiculous comments in regards to this 'issue' and one which I remember reading questioned how a 'talentless celebrity' (I think they meant Beckham rather than Jordan) could possibly be allowed to equal a record held by the inspirational Moore.
Some may disagree but Beckham was an inspirational captain and, similarly to Moore, lost a bit of public faith as captain. Let's not forget, Moore's reputation was tarnished following an arrest at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico for theft, he was later released but, so often in life, stuff like this sticks. Rightly though, Moore is remembered for what he did on the pitch and that should be the case with Beckham. It would be wrong, but so obvious, not to point out his heroic performance against Greece in which he scored a last-minute free-kick which drew the game level at 2-2 - enough to gain England automatic qualification for the 2002 World Cup. That was a true captain's performance, deputised by the superb Nigel Martyn whose own performance is so often overlooked in that match, which answered all his critics in the most dramatic way.
Beckham so often proves people wrong and overcomes his demons in such a way that objectors to him should just let him bow out on his own accord. Who can forget the barrage of abuse that he faced in his own country on his return from the '98 World Cup in which he was blamed for the nation's exit to Argentina? Burning effigies, mock dolls hung from lamp-posts with Beckham shirts on and constant booing up and down the country whenever he played for his beloved Manchester United. It's testament to the man himself that he ever wanted to captain a country that was so unrepentant in their criticism. This is a man who later faced the demons of '98 by driving home a penalty in the 2002 World Cup group stage against Argentina which all but ended their involvement in the competition.
In the said article which provoked this response, it was mentioned that Beckham "in reality" has been in decline even before he left United. Forgive me for pointing out the obvious, but Beckham left United for Real Madrid in 2003 which would have made him 27 years of age which, for an average player, would be a pretty worrying state of affairs as the following years are widely regarded as being a players' 'peak'. Similarly damning evidence (I will stop this sorry persecution of this ill-informed soul shortly -it was probably just an off-day, but then I read today's article) comes when you consider that Beckham played an influential part in Madrid winning La Liga under Fabio Capello. Beckham's professionalism was the main reason he got himself back in the starting line-up after Capello had gone on record as saying he would never play for Madrid again after it emerged that Beckham had agreed to join LA Galaxy. But this was a player supposedly in decline four years prior to this achievement.
This is somewhat refreshing, a player who is often seen as a 'prima-donna' and who could have retired years ago showing a willingness to succeed that puts most professionals to shame. Beckham has the respect of the national manager, Capello, who has labelled Beckham "a model professional" and the support of a nation, contrary to media coverage.
Whilst we seemingly have players who don't really value the pride of pulling on their nation's shirt, players like David Bentley who decided that he had more important things to do than represent the Under-21's in the U21's European Cup and players like John Terry, the England captain, and Steven Gerrard who declare themselves injured prior to an England friendly but miraculously recover in time to play for their respective clubs a few days later.
It seems that Beckham would get less stick if he decided not to turn up for an England match than having the level of pride he does in representing his country. This is a man who recognises the fact that he can still play a part for the national team and is willing to do anything to prolong his international career and if he is as amateur-ish and 'passed-it' as some would have you believe then why on earth would a club the size of AC Milan want him? Simple. They wouldn't.
For those who doubt and continually question Beckham's worth on a football pitch, and there are a large number, here are a few statistics from the match on Sunday:
Minutes played - 89
Shots on target - 1
Shots off target - 0
Key passes - 1
Long passes - 7
Long-pass accuracy - 100%
Passes - 64
Pass completion - 84%
Crosses - 12
Cross completion - 8%
Tackles - 2
Tackles won - 100%
Fouls conceded - 1
Fouls won - 2
These, to anyone who understands statistics, are are pretty impressive considering this is Beckham's first competitive match since his season with LA Galaxy ended on 26 October. Ironically, these figures were published to run alongside a story that threw up every word and phrase in the book that suggests Beckham is no longer good enough to play football, let alone in Serie A. Perhaps the journalist didn't understand the figures or perhaps he thought that Beckham's 'long-pass accuracy' used to be 200% when he was in his 'prime'. Of course, you can't get better than 100%, but at times you'd think that you can with the level of dissatisfaction that was voiced in this particular article.
It appears that Beckham can't step onto a football pitch these days without people questioning his ability which leads to the inevitable "quit while your ahead Becks" message being relayed across all media platforms, as if they're doing him a favour. In truth Beckham has probably created more work for journalists and critics (certainly critics) than any other sporting figure in the history of sport. But what is it that annoys these people to the extent of criticising a player who, quite clearly on the above evidence, can still cut it at the top-level?
Like it or not, Beckham seems destined to equal the late, great, Bobby Moore's 108 cap landmark for England making him the second most-capped player behind Peter Shilton, who amassed 125 caps as goalkeeper between 1970 and 1990. There have been some ridiculous comments in regards to this 'issue' and one which I remember reading questioned how a 'talentless celebrity' (I think they meant Beckham rather than Jordan) could possibly be allowed to equal a record held by the inspirational Moore.
Some may disagree but Beckham was an inspirational captain and, similarly to Moore, lost a bit of public faith as captain. Let's not forget, Moore's reputation was tarnished following an arrest at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico for theft, he was later released but, so often in life, stuff like this sticks. Rightly though, Moore is remembered for what he did on the pitch and that should be the case with Beckham. It would be wrong, but so obvious, not to point out his heroic performance against Greece in which he scored a last-minute free-kick which drew the game level at 2-2 - enough to gain England automatic qualification for the 2002 World Cup. That was a true captain's performance, deputised by the superb Nigel Martyn whose own performance is so often overlooked in that match, which answered all his critics in the most dramatic way.
Beckham so often proves people wrong and overcomes his demons in such a way that objectors to him should just let him bow out on his own accord. Who can forget the barrage of abuse that he faced in his own country on his return from the '98 World Cup in which he was blamed for the nation's exit to Argentina? Burning effigies, mock dolls hung from lamp-posts with Beckham shirts on and constant booing up and down the country whenever he played for his beloved Manchester United. It's testament to the man himself that he ever wanted to captain a country that was so unrepentant in their criticism. This is a man who later faced the demons of '98 by driving home a penalty in the 2002 World Cup group stage against Argentina which all but ended their involvement in the competition.
In the said article which provoked this response, it was mentioned that Beckham "in reality" has been in decline even before he left United. Forgive me for pointing out the obvious, but Beckham left United for Real Madrid in 2003 which would have made him 27 years of age which, for an average player, would be a pretty worrying state of affairs as the following years are widely regarded as being a players' 'peak'. Similarly damning evidence (I will stop this sorry persecution of this ill-informed soul shortly -it was probably just an off-day, but then I read today's article) comes when you consider that Beckham played an influential part in Madrid winning La Liga under Fabio Capello. Beckham's professionalism was the main reason he got himself back in the starting line-up after Capello had gone on record as saying he would never play for Madrid again after it emerged that Beckham had agreed to join LA Galaxy. But this was a player supposedly in decline four years prior to this achievement.
This is somewhat refreshing, a player who is often seen as a 'prima-donna' and who could have retired years ago showing a willingness to succeed that puts most professionals to shame. Beckham has the respect of the national manager, Capello, who has labelled Beckham "a model professional" and the support of a nation, contrary to media coverage.
Whilst we seemingly have players who don't really value the pride of pulling on their nation's shirt, players like David Bentley who decided that he had more important things to do than represent the Under-21's in the U21's European Cup and players like John Terry, the England captain, and Steven Gerrard who declare themselves injured prior to an England friendly but miraculously recover in time to play for their respective clubs a few days later.
It seems that Beckham would get less stick if he decided not to turn up for an England match than having the level of pride he does in representing his country. This is a man who recognises the fact that he can still play a part for the national team and is willing to do anything to prolong his international career and if he is as amateur-ish and 'passed-it' as some would have you believe then why on earth would a club the size of AC Milan want him? Simple. They wouldn't.
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