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When Shilton reached 109 England caps he was presented with a special shirt bearing the number and his name on the back. As Saturday approached, and David Beckham inevitably collected his latest record-breaking cap, England unveiled their new shirts too.
Not especially for Goldenballs himself, but for the whole team. I am not entirely sure why, when playing at home, the three lions wore all white (don’t we usually have blue shorts, or did I miss something?). But I am certain that Beckham’s forty-five minutes proved that we still need him as a player.
His assist for Rooney’s first goal showed enduring class and for all the whooping and cheering that accompanies Gerrard and Rooney nowadays it is still Beckham’s metronomic presence that keeps the team ticking over.
Some people don’t like Beckham, a lot of them even hate him. It is unlikely that any of those people are esteemed members of their local Mensa councils but he has certainly been our most important player for a while now, like it or not.
Cruyff had a totemic presence for Holland during the seventies and in the 1974 World Cup he was even granted special permission to wear his own jersey featuring an extra stripe. Beckham is famously branded right up the coca-colas but he has not been indulged in any such grand fashion. He merely shows up, takes the shirt number he is given and is happy to play.
England have built our hopes up and then dashed them so many times in the past that right now I am willing to take any omen I can get. Holland lost the final in 1974 as their team fractured towards the end of the tournament. Looking ahead to 2010 one wonders if this new kit could prove lucky for us. Every time England have been knocked out of a major tournament in the last decade we have been wearing white shirts and blue shorts. Perhaps this new all white kit is the way to go.
Or, there is always the chance we will make it to the quarter-finals, lose on penalties, have a couple of players sent off and then watch in horror as the fans trash whichever poor city is unfortunate enough to have hosted the game. On second thoughts, that does seem more likely. At least, for a change, we can do all that in a snazzy new kit. Either that, or lets give Beckham an extra stripe.
Comments
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Posted by Raven Lee on 03/31/2009
Well said, Mark! It's true nowadays that David Beckham has been forgotten, or very much been unappreciated, but I too agree that he has been a key figure in the England team all these while,even now, whether the boo boys or anybody else like it or not. To me, England isn't exactly England, until you see those long balls fizzing across the pitch,and that iconic number 7 standing over free-kicks and corner kicks. So, yes, England still need the Goldenballs. Sven wasn't wrong there. The all white kit? Classic.
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Posted by Hes2ey on 03/31/2009
1998 v Argent1na Eng3and w/re a|| wh1te
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Posted by Peter on 03/31/2009
Actualy Cruyff had a stripe removed because at the time he was under contract with Puma. Addidas
was the sponsor for Holland.
Beckman is truley massive for England as Cruyff was for the beautiful game!
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Posted by chris on 03/31/2009
Wow Peter...I wish I had knowledge like that..Kudos to you...interesting fact.
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Posted by Steven Stevensson on 04/01/2009
I bet most of the beckham haters never actually saw him play..
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Posted by zulkifli on 04/01/2009
A Malaysian like myself may not be your likely source of comments, but i do love England...and unashamely Beckham. The new shirt is awesome!
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Posted by Karl Peterson on 04/01/2009
Beckam is legend. No question about that!!
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Posted by Tom Stirrat on 04/01/2009
Peter & Mark,
You guys must be easy pleased if you think Beckham makes such an impact while playing for England. You both should have a good look at your football history and to compare him with Cruyff is an utter insult to one of the most outstanding players to grace the beautiful game
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Posted by Nathan on 04/01/2009
1998, White with blue/red trim, technically not all white. Ok, so kidding aside, I agree Becks is too valuable to the three lions. I know that Lennon and Walcot have pace to run circles around most people, but that doesn't help if your crosses are drilled behind the goal or out the other touchline. Becks provides great touch, vision, and the ability to provide a killer ball in the final 1/3.
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Posted by TrueFan on 04/01/2009
TOTALLY NONSENSE..UNDER BECKHAM ENGLAND HAS NEVER WON A MAJOR TOURNEMENT. HOW CAN U COMPARE HIM WITH CYRUFF? Beckham is a total useless pussy that only knows how to wear victoria's lingerie. english should really be ashamed of him. how can anyone be proud of him. ever since buying him, the galaticos has never been dominating, that's why they didnt hesistate when LA comes calling. really see how much Man U has progressed after he left. Stupid really this article.
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Posted by Robert on 04/01/2009
why do all the English compare Beckham to people who played the game 30-40 years ago? diffrent times ,different circumstances.judge here and now and compare him with His other England team-mates!!
Cryuff was great then,Beckham is great now.
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Posted by Haim on 04/01/2009
I think the all white kit will be far too confusing for viewers. They will all think it is in fact New Zealand playing (the famous All Whites).
Hopefully FIFA will make a ruling on this soon.
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Posted by Jack on 04/01/2009
I agree with this article, England vs. Greece 2001, all white, and all so lucky in the last minute of Becks madness.
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Posted by Paul on 04/01/2009
I think Beckham is actually a better player for England now that he is a fringe player. Used wisely he is a great asset to the team. Play the whole game? Too much for him.
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Posted by Oswald on 04/01/2009
All this while I thought I was the only one who felt indignant on Beckham's behalf! He really is a legend and the master of the game. He might not be an excellent dribbler like the Ronaldinhos of our time but is a master of some of the basic skills demanded in football- passing, crossing, ballcontrol- and extras like his phenominal free kicks. In fewer words, he is a gentle phenomenon!
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Posted by jesus on 04/01/2009
i remember at the world cup when everyone jumped on beckham as the reason england played so woefully - forgetting how ineffective a front pair of rooney and crouch were. and that he did assist a couple of their... what 4 goals? and that he was put in right back to finish a couple of games.
i honestly hate beckham. he's a sissy-voiced, pretty-boy, ex-united twat, but england has no one else who understands when to go for goal and when to deliver the ball for someone else. Or can deliver a ball so well.
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Posted by Hayor on 04/01/2009
As far as am concern becks is a legend
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Posted by Benny Joe on 04/01/2009
Beckham; like it or not, is a legend. His pace had faded but the rest of his game has remained the same and almost, as his stay in milan has proved, made him more intelligent with the ball. His work rate is unquestionable and his determination, unquenchable. Beckham may not be a starter anymore but the slovakia game prves he is deadly as a sub, perhaps when other players pace fades late in the game. As a Canadian hockey lover, i have to admire those down and out players who rely on heart to succeed. kudos for the years of quality Beckham
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Posted by Matt on 04/01/2009
I'm thinking the all white kit of England had more to do with the all blue kit of Slovakia. FIFA rules state that the shirt, shorts, and socks must all be different colors. Since Slovakia wears all blue, England couldn't wear their traditional blue shorts. Thats why sometimes you see Brazil with the gold shirt but white shorts instead of the traditional blue.
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Posted by Glynn on 04/01/2009
Becks has been nothing short of class in all that he has done in football. He has handled issues with clubs and country with humility and enthusiasm. He has asked for no special treatment. On the pitch he has been a difference maker and without him England have been horrible. I may not be a "Beckham Fan" as some are called, but I am an admirer of his game and attitude. What is his attitude? No complaints. Show up. Train. Play hard and win. I agree with Nathan pace and speed never make up for misplaced crosses or set pieces. Fabio hopefully will not make the same mistake with Becks in England that he made in Spain. That mistake was leaving him out and thinking he could be better without him.
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Posted by labellepoule on 04/01/2009
P.Stevensson probably on the mark. Most have just "heard" of Beckham, but never seen him play either face-to-face or via telly. Beckham has certainly become larger than life in the world of commercialism and promotion, but he has always shown up for work with his lunch pail in hand. Never complains about his position on the team, his playing time, his team mates, or his manager. The consummate professional everywhere he has played and never anything other than a positive for England.
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Posted by Lesedi Pansiri on 04/01/2009
Becks, Bend it like Beckam, this guy is one of greatest footballers of his time. If there is anyone out there hu thinks beckam is anything less than this, believe me not that person has not seen him play or he/she is brainwashed!
Frm Botswana.
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Posted by harrytan on 04/01/2009
Well done beckham, England Legend. you can see when he came out 2nd half with the no of "17" also play very well.
If john terry not doing additional touch became offside. the goal is marverllous (cross from hald way field) and you can see when becks stop the ball @ 70 minutes and simply cross the ball for rooney goal.
I hope Capello should give beck 1st eleven squad againts Ukraine for WCQ.
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Posted by Anmol Sharma on 04/01/2009
David Beckham is a legend. He is the most important player and if England wants to hold the WORLD CUP trophy in 2010, They Need David Beckham.
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Posted by Rishi on 04/01/2009
Becks is a legend. His pace may have left him, but he is still great at everything else. Anyone who trash talks him has not seen him play. I ESPECIALLY HATE people who say that all Becks can do is cross and take free kicks, cuz he can do a hell of a lot more than that.
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Posted by Rishi on 04/01/2009
I actually think the new shirt kinda looks like a test cricket jersey lol...
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Posted by Anmol Sharma on 04/01/2009
It is hard fact to digest that people hate individual players. I can't imagine on what grounds do people hate an individual player. FOOTBALL is a team game and Every result is based on 11-men performance. David Beckham is a supreme legend and a wonderful player. He has played Superb football for ENGLAND. He does not play for himself , he plays for the team and There is no platform accordin to me on which we can hate any player of any TEAM-SPORT. We can hate a TENNIS PLAYER, a F1 driver or any INDIVIDUAL game player. It was really tough for me to digest that many people hate DAVID BECKHAM :(((
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Posted by Harrytan on 04/01/2009
Once again a free kick cross from Beckham to secure England win over Ukraine for WCQ.
Capello should reserve England no '7' to Beckham.
********* the greatest footballers in England.
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Posted by shane on 04/02/2009
hi. becks is my all time favourite right winger !
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Posted by Master Bait on 04/02/2009
Becks is not the ronaldo type winger. the jobs becks has to do... he does perfectly. the goals and perfect crosses are just a bonus.
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Posted by Malcolm Dorfman on 04/02/2009
David Beckham is a most professional footballer. He understands what is required of him, he is humble and courteous and his celebrity status has not interfered with his contribution to either the clubs he has played for nor England. People who make derogatory comments about him really need to have a good look at themselves. Becks deserves praise not malicious criticism. I for one have had enormous pleasure from watching him play.
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Posted by Scotland Forever on 04/02/2009
What the hell is TrueFan talking about -- Holland never won shite under Cruyff. Nobody remembers 2nd place in the World Cup, dude. Beckham is a solid presence on the pitch and a difference-maker for England. Detractors have been writing him off for years yet he still makes the squad, and like tonight's qualifier, makes an impact. Victoria Spice be damned, he is a class act and will undoubtedly one day be Sir David Beckham.
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Posted by Shadarin on 04/02/2009
i don't know on which planet that becks has tantrums like ronaldo, went missing like robinho, hold out for more money like gallas, sulks, whined to the press, underperformed for the team he's played with etc.
he's consistent, he's won almost everything with United, won the La Liga with Madrid, qualified England numerous times for WC & Euro and his crosses are still as deadly as ever. He revolutionises the fear of deadball, crosses and free kicks. Did anyone else specialises & turn it into an art for crosses & free kicks before him?
Now i see almost every player are prerequisite to have that specialty into his game to be "special"
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Posted by nani on 04/02/2009
if u keep giving pro-beckham reviews such as this, vulgarity should be permitted he is no better than bentley and was/is fortunate not to be in Leyton Orient
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Posted by wt23 on 04/02/2009
Keep it up Beck, to me you are always one of the very best players in the world and my all time favorite. England needs you to do well in 2010 South Africa.
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Posted by rajen on 04/02/2009
Becks, a real great three lion. His freekicks, his ball-delivering skill, the accuracy; a real footballer will admire him as a idol. He is a football millionaire but very eager to play for his country. He do not worry about captaincy, no.7, 1st eleven even playing minutes on the pitch but what he wants is just want to play for his country. A superb chipped in for the second goal is a moment of becks brilliant. Lennon or Walcot can do like that? That's makes him great and different. England needs him in the world cup.
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Posted by patrick on 04/02/2009
i am a zimbabwean , and also a fan of beck . that guy is a true professional footballer ,he has managed his life as a celebilty very well , and has remained focussed to his game . to me he is a good role model to all young footballers who had made so much fortune
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Posted by Jonathan Lim on 04/02/2009
David beckham is a legend no doubt...
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Posted by tunji on 04/02/2009
Take away the crosses from Beckham and what do you have left......................
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Posted by Spiff on 04/02/2009
Am I the only one who hates the new shirts? For lunch at the tennis club or golf club they would be OK but surely not for soccer.
Beckham has a great attitude, he works hard and fights for his place in the team(at Real Madrid and England). Not as gifted and skillful as some players but his style complements other players and he creates real goalscoring opportunities from accurate crosses, free kicks and corners. Plus what other top flight player would take a huge pay cut and give up the easy life at the Galaxy to get match fit and fight hard for his place again? He can wait to do all the celebrity stuff until after 2010.
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Posted by Durk on 04/03/2009
Beckham is the most precise footballer in the world. He is not satisfied just crossing the ball, or shooting at the general area of goal. He aims at a certain spot and most likely hits it.
Zidane wasn't quick, Roy Keane wasn't quick,Ronaldinho isn't quick.Rooney isn't quick.
Very few players, if anybody,in the last 15 years have had the ball control of Beckham. His game has always been under rated.His endeavor is appreciated by opposing players and managers.
His team mates in three world major cities sing his praises.
The few that don't like him, usually don't know why. That's their problem not his.
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Posted by yick_hoe on 04/03/2009
becks...legend or spagegoat....greater or greader....the hero or the zero....u name it... not to be denied that beckham is quite special to the game...his curling free kick, his precision of delivery and his undoubted desire towards england..... but wat missing from him is total commitment from the game tat has been serving him for more than 20 years...put aside those glittering hollywood life style.....cast aside the thought of wic clubs who can pay me better be it the american or the italian....forget about the post retirement plan.....what we need is a SELF COMMITTED, SELF DRIVEN, and FULLY DEDICATED BECKS.....u truely believe there's still some moment of magic left in you...remember back the game vs greece, the moment, the pressure around and the precision of the "kick".just dedicate what u have in the next 500 days towards soccer and three lion enblem. imagine d moment of truth if ever you step on the podium receiving the cup of life. beck, go for it. fullfill the ultimate destiny
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Posted by Matt on 04/03/2009
From tunji
"Take away the crosses from Beckham and what do you have left......................"
You're an idiot, right?
David Beckham is the player every true footballer wants on their team. The sort of player a striker loves, because he gives them consistent delivery, whether it be a pass, a cross, or whatever it may be. He's the sort of player a defender loves because when they get the ball out to David Beckham, he can slow down the play, hold that ball up and he very rarely has ever put his defense under pressure by knocking a stray ball. He's the sort of player a midfielder loves, because he gets himself in the right positions, and he allows the rest of the midfield to make the runs they love to make and he will almost always deliver the right pass at the very right moment.
Just because David Beckham doesn't sprint like an athlete, or juggle the ball around like a Brazilian, doesn't mean he isn't a great footballer. He's a true footballer, and the footballer's footballer.
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Posted by Yami on 04/03/2009
hey! i mus agree, this guy becks is got passion for the game... all the fame is jus a plus. never seen a man so dedicated to his thing like becks does. god bless him... he places himself equal to all and strives for merit. no wonder he gets picked now and then to play for the angelais. go becks go!
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Posted by Brandon Ding on 04/03/2009
He may not be world class overall but he has specific qualities that few can duplicate. Nowadays, when I look at teams, when it comes to set pieces, many players are consistently hopeless, sure there be the occasional brilliant scoring free kick but when it comes to pure crossing from open play and from dead ball situation, Beckham is a class act on his own till this day. This are suppose to be basic skills that unfortunately few players are capable of even doing consistently. What's the point of all the speed and dribbling ability when the final pass is of the lowest quality. Look at the wing options for England, Lennon, SWP, Walcott, Joe Cole, ... I would not dare gamble a penny on them to deliver a quality ball in the box with one opportunity. They probably need 5 or 6 chances before being able to deliver one decent ball in.
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Posted by Jack on 04/03/2009
Well,he is a good player but who the hell teach him how to pass and cross ?if i rem correctly a certain kungfu kick player teach him(and himself praticing everyone of cos!).None other than the truly GIFTED and LEGENDARY player,Eric Cantona.
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Posted by lawal lanre on 04/03/2009
well,i dont have much to say bcos if beck is still with m united nobody we bring this kind of acticle.wheather united fan like it or not he is a legent.ask ur sir he head bolt beck and nobody say anything.bullshit
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Posted by harry on 04/03/2009
i think becham hasd created a consistent atitude towards the game at least he got a record broken
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Posted by Didier on 04/03/2009
Jacl: Um, no. Cantona didn't teach him, he tought himself and developed at the Man Utd football academy.
Natural genius, enough said. Probably one of the most determined professionals in the world.
As for the new England kit I don't like it, all white is not as nice as the navy blue shorts which were a nice contrast.
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Posted by gerald on 04/03/2009
i agree that beckham is a key player for england,he provides great passes and is excellent at set pieces. (tom stirrat,what a prat)
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Posted by kmm2908 on 04/04/2009
Love him or hate him, it is hard not to admire his professionalism, commitment and ability. He has and continues to be a tremendous ambassador for the game and England. On the pitch, who else do we have that can deliver killer crosses and free kicks with the ever-dependable accuracy of David Beckham? I agree he seems to have even more impact now coming on for the second half. So use him that way. At least until he teaches messrs Walcott and Lennon to cross a ball consistently!
As for the kit; with all due respect, who cares? Just get them out there playing decent football and give us a long awaited win in a major tournament please!
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Posted by Idiotic TrueFan on 04/04/2009
As my name suggests, I think TrueFan is truly an idiot.
To my knowledge, I believe that it was Beckham that Capello had to call upon to win the La Liga. Isn't that so? Even the great man apologize for leaving him out. It takes a gentleman to be able to do just that.
Can you TrueFan?
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Posted by RaiderRich2001 on 04/04/2009
Fair play to Beckham that all the England coaches over the years thought him good enough to play, let alone include in the side. But there's just too many breaks in international play to be impressed by a record like this.
If it was a streak of playing consecutive domestic league, domestic cup competitions, continental club championship, and international matches, I would be more impressed. If you are on excellent form and fitness enough for your club to not rotate you and your international manager to play you (not just select you) for an extended period of time, that's saying something.
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Posted by Eemmanuel Ihaza on 04/04/2009
Truefan, can you please tell the house MAN UTD achievements after Becks exist that he did not achieve before leaving. Your criticism of Beck is void, baseless and holds no water and you know it, no wonder you could not even state your real name. Beck is a living, humble legend whose style and skill of football is so thrilling and still relevant uptill date. so buzz off cos we all know the truth
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Posted by Rishi Dayal on 04/05/2009
True Fan U R A FAGIT. U KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL. I CANT BELEIVE U WOULD EVEN POST A COMMENT U DUMB b**CH. YOU DEF ARE JUST JEALOUS OF HIM!!!!!!! YOU ONLY WATCH SOCCER TO LOOK AT BECKS'S BODY AND YOU COMMENT AGAINST HIM TO COVER IT UP!! LOSER!!!
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Posted by Dumb True Fan on 04/05/2009
True fan & tunji might be over inflating self righteous football fans who just hate Becks for not other reason apart from his fame. Becks might not be able to dribble nor does he have the speed of say ronaldo. But he is in his own way a class player due to his passing skills and reading of the game. Are you guys more of an expert then Don Fabio & SAF???? Don't critise what u don't understand... He didn't get to where he is by wearing Victoria's panties. What a load of crap the two of guys are! A question would be would any england fan mind if becks supplies the winning pass or scores the winning goal in the WC final and in post match celebrations reveals that he wore vic's panties during the match for additional inspiration?
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Posted by firdaus on 04/05/2009
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Posted by Who the fuck are you? on 04/05/2009
u no wat all u cunts who seem to think beckham has not been a good player for his country cant even call themselves football fans.
If u look through football history yes there has been better players, but really try and remember a player with a better right foot
an english player to be crowned the second best player in the world one year(behind figo)besides lampard which in my mind was a joke anyway
u will struggle
if anyone denies Beckham of the great footballing career he has hd u are obviously jealous of himk the talent he has been blessed with and thetalent u havent been blessed with
well in Becks all these cunts dont no wat they are on about
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Posted by Fu** Tunji on 04/05/2009
or i shud ask u back what would happen to walcott or lennon if we take away their pace???
stupid.use ur brain and think!
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Posted by haiqalistic on 04/05/2009
he is good la
come on guys
lets just admit this....
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Posted by ousst on 04/05/2009
From tunji
"Take away the crosses from Beckham and what do you have left......................"
Crossing is the most important part of the game. What will you have if there is no crossing in the game? Seriously, did you know about this game called soccer? Have you ever play the game before?
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Posted by Irhash on 04/05/2009
First of all, I'm not a Beckham fan, Man Utd fan or England fan... I love football for what it is... "the beautiful game"
TrueFan, Madrid/Capello had to call upon Beckham to get their campaign back on track. they were not playing well when he was ON the bench. and I do remember Beckham being part of the 1999 treble. And he can proudly say he's played with Man U, Madrid & Milan. How many ppl can say that?
From tunji
"Take away the crosses from Beckham and what do you have left"
then can i say?... "take away the dribbling skills of Ronaldo and what do you have left" "take away the shot stopping of Petr Chech and..." Take away the defensive skills of Paolo Maldini and..." etc. you get my point.
Crosses, dribbles, shot stopping, defending, etc. you need these skills in football. it's not just about showing off your skills with the feet. you want that? tune into freestyle or beach. there are people way better than ronaldo but that doesnt make them good players on the big field.
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Posted by Gerald on 04/05/2009
Yes Caprllo called on Becks man united Thrived with Becks so is AC milan He is Good at what he does Period.... He is Legendary
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Posted by Mike in OK on 04/05/2009
Agony turns to ecstay right before my eyes! Could Hollywood write a better sport movie script than what happened at noon (CDT) today? A reserve seventeen year old scores the goal of the year and gets a happy card (Yellow hued) for hugging his brother. Can it possibly get any better? Gawd, I love Alex and our Red Devils!!! The Oklahoma dust is a lovlier shade of Red (Devils)!!! Man U forever!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by Mii_(singapore) on 04/06/2009
Peter says: Actualy Cruyff had a stripe removed because at the time he was under contract with Puma. Addidas was the sponsor for Holland.
Hi Peter, I've noticed that missing stripe on Cruyff's Holland orange jersey for many years now but I din't know that sponsorship was the real cause.. thanks for the valuable info.. :)
As for Beckham.. for his age, I really admire his determination and passion for the Beautiful game.
People can easily say that he is not very skillful..but with his range of passes, how many pro players can kick a ball from one side of the pitch to another as beautifully as Beckham does? and not forgetting his beautiful freekicks..
- Mii (singapore)
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Posted by markjytan on 04/06/2009
Shearer said if he can have any player on his team, it would be Beckham. Enough said. He's a striker's dream team mate.
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Posted by sang on 04/06/2009
People still remember Beckham in England. In my opinion maybe he's not as great as Maradona, Pele, Ronaldo or maybe Cristiano R., This looks like that England is lack of prolific player now. If England has someone like Kaka, Messi etc. then, Beckham will be forgotten.
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Posted by Rijal on 04/06/2009
Whether you like it or not, we are talking about Bekham right now. Talking about him in this forum alone shows how big bekham is.
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Posted by Eduardo La Luz on 04/06/2009
You need David Beckham,he is one of the few players that England have that gives direction
and poise when attacking. He shows class and knowledge of the game by being able to read and assess the situation. For someone who, according to the majority, is a sissy (as I read earlier) doesn't mind getting stuck in which is more than you can say for the other so called prodigies (wallcott,lennon).All they provide is speed with a lack of control. The disguise of unpredictability has vanished due to their predictable see-through approach to attacking opportunities.Stevie G is overrated,I understand that he lives and breaths Liverpool but in saying that shouldnt playing for his country mean more to him? To me he seams to lack passion,
albeit he may be playing out of position,he needs to show more.
So in saying that,leave Becks alone to do his thing, plod along, and England will be more effective and better for it.
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Posted by Eemmanuel Ihaza on 04/06/2009
Sang, by comparing the likes of messi and Cristiano R with Beckham shows that you have no knowledge of football. Even the players themselves will never make such comparism. How can Beckham be forgotten?.....Even if the english people forgets him, we in Africa especially Nigeria can never. I grew up with Beckham been my mentor not only on the pitch but with his life style and family life, he has served as an inspiration to us here and that is all that matters.
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Posted by Dennis on 04/06/2009
Take Beckham's offpitch antics aside, he is a very good player, a great professional and very well respected by his team mates and opponents.
Beckham got his 109 caps for a reason, playing consistently at a very high level. Captaining his country for over half of those caps as well.
The only thing missing in his trophy cabinet is a major trophy for the National Team, English people have laid the blame on him, so did McClaren (which was a mistake as he had to recall him). England's failure in major tournaments is NOT Beckham's fault, as he was probably one of the best in an england shirt in all of those major tournaments he played in
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Posted by Torag on 04/06/2009
Legend?? So what has he actually won while wearing the England shirt???
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Posted by dt on 04/06/2009
for me,ppl dun like beck bcoz he is too famous,ppl see him like he is rockstar, movie superstar but he is just footballer which wanna play for his country,ppl expecting him to hv zidane brain, ronaldo tricks, rooney speed just bcoz he is too famous... beck is a true legend and true player, dun we see any player around that willing to join other club just to get into national team? he purposely train with arsenal for that, he go to milan for that, just to keep himself fit, and playfor his beloved country...
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Posted by nadi on 04/06/2009
He is great and in Thailand we do love him. Keep him coming and who knows; hope they'll let him hold the cup as the second player.
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Posted by primo1404 on 04/06/2009
He controls the game, he passes on the ground accurately, he supports his forwards and also defends well. He's a complete player. I have been blessed to see him play in person (T&T vs England). I want to see him lift the world cup and they've got the perfect manager (Capello) to lead them.
Sang...you're an idiot
Beckham was one of the galacticos surrounded by some of the greatest footballers of all time and he still was singled out as a BIG player. Even at Milan where the likes of Maldani and Kaka is, there Beckham is making a name for himself. All the best Becks in SA 2010.
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Posted by Ricious Man on 04/06/2009
I admit and I am happy that, David Beckham is one of them rare breed of great players.
He deserves it.
As for the haters..one question!
What does it take to become a professional football player?
Answer is..professionalism!
As a professional you need to have all skills to a very high level.
D. Beckham not only has that..but has brilliant accuracy in the game, which he goes into that category of greatest professional footballers.
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Posted by john on 04/06/2009
Becks is a great asset to the England team. his ability to cross the ball to a precise attacking zone has been responsible for at least half of England's important goals over the past couple of years. Without him I'd be concerned their offense would be nigh on impotent
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Posted by anirishman on 04/06/2009
Utter tripe. You started with great promise Mark and unfortunately arrived where all the hacks end up. Writing rubbish that will appeal to the un-informed, the naive and the patriotically feeble. But then I suppose you have to put food on the table. I used to look forward to your stuff before it turned to Pablum. Return to what you did well, which was writing about issues that shape the beautiful game and the best club on the planet.
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Posted by khai on 04/06/2009
Hi anirishman (no wonder), when you criticize, please back it up with the reasons as to why Mark's post, in YOUR opinion, is utter tripe.
Otherwise, your post is all blablabla to everyone else.
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Posted by Tada on 04/07/2009
It's amusing to see you haters criticizing without valid grounds or explanations. Calling someone else "total useless pussy", "stupid" etc goes to show how immature you are (Yes that's you Truefan). If you want to comment on how bad a player (or an article) is, you have to JUSTIFY your claims, useless ramblings get you nowhere. I too, feel that Beckham has always been over criticized by the media etc. Criticism like blaming him for his lack of speed/ pace are invalid because
1. that's not something within his control at his age. I don't see anyone criticizing Ryan Giggs for being slower.
2. for christ sake he don't need these qualities to play effectively.
Likewise it's unfair to put so much blame on him for England's failure in major tournaments. Other players are also responsible for not playing up to standard aren't they? And when Beckham plays well, he did not get the praise he deserved. Seems like the media love to pick out every little flaws in him given the opportunity.
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Posted by Kyle Silva on 04/07/2009
David Beckham is really great when playing for England
Posted by rc_raul on 04/07/2009
Games are won and lost on goals. Goals come from assist, and nobody in the history of the game that has such a terrific record when it comes to assists. Becks has no pace? If he can achieve so much without pace, imagine what he'll be if he HAS them.
England din win anything becos they lack a good manager, not because Becks played for them.
He's a legendary player that happens to look good, not just a 'pretty boy'.
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About
Mark Payne writes about football for a variety of media outlets. He reported on the 2010 World Cup for Australia’s ABC network and worked at one of the FIFA fan sites. He has been ESPN’s Manchester United correspondent for four years. His writing attracts a worldwide following and in 2011 this blog was nominated for an award. To contact Mark for football discussion e-mail him on markpayne.editor@hotmail.com at any time. He wears lucky socks on match days.
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