David Beckham: Professionalism Personified
David Beckham - The Ultimate Professional
As I watched him both before, during, and after the game tonight in Rome, one has to marvel at the professionalism of this man. He hasn’t played competitive football since November, yet he played virtually the entire game tonight at the Stadio Olimpico against AS Roma. The teams drew, 2 x 2.
According to Panini Digital, David Beckham played 91 total minutes (he was subbed out in the 89th minute by Mathieu Flamini), and had 48 successful passes. He also had one shot on goal.
He also took several corners, along with a few free kicks. Carlo Ancelotti must wonder why the football Gods smiled on him. For the next two months, he has Beckham, Andrea Pirlo, and Ronaldinho Gaucho to take free kicks for AC Milan.
He seemed to fit Milan like a glove.
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Joking in the Tunnel
Before the game, he embraced and seemed to be joking with Julio Baptista, his former Real Madrid teammate, in the tunnel. He also shared a warm smile with Cicinho, another Merengue colleague who was opposing him today.
When Pato scored his first goal of the evening, Beckham leaped on his back in celebration.
After the game, he came off the bench to congratulate players on both sides.
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Comments After the Game
“Mi sono anche divertito, grazie ai compagni che mi hanno aiutato. Nel complesso sto bene, non mi aspettavo di giocare dall’inizio”… Tra due mesi dovrò tornare ai Los Angeles Galaxy, ma sono contento di avere questa occasione adesso”.
“I enjoyed myself, thanks to my teammates who helped me. Overall I am well, I didn’t expect to play from the start… In two months, I will have to return to the Los Angeles Galaxy, but I am pleased to have this experience now.”
Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 11 January 2009.
Italian translation by Steve Amoia.
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A Great Professional
It seems to be the mantra of anyone quoted about Beckham.
Ancelotti, Paolo Maldini, and Clarence Seedorf have used this term since their Dubai training camp. In the past, Fabio Capello said it several times. Even after he benched him in Madrid, he noted the great professionalism of Beckham.
The man travels around the world and receives the scrutiny of a Head of State. Yet he seems to handle the pressure, both on and off the pitch, with unusual grace and courtesy.
He may be a global brand, but for those of us who are not concerned by such media-created frenzies, he epitomizes professionalism.
In any language.
Un grande professionista, David Beckham.
Steve Amoia writes the World Football Commentaries blog. He has written for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio, Football Media, Keeper Skool, and Soccerlens.
Agreed. Criticize Beckham all you want for his lack of defensive skills, his lack of pace, and his lack of versatility. However, you can’t criticize his professionalism. He could have bagged it after being excluded from the Real Madrid squad, but he didn’t. He continued training hard and showing up every day, and when Capello had to give him another chance, he was ready to contribute. He could have left England after the 98 World Cup, but he persevered and turned in some of his best seasons, eventually becoming captain of England. No matter what anyone might think of his abilities as a footballer, you have to admire his strength of character.
Now, if he welches on his contract with the L.A. Galaxy in order to stay in Milan, then that’s another story. I’d be very disappointed if that happened.
Great article. And well,let’s not forget that he’s an excellent footballer too.He might not challenge maradonna and pele for the title of the greatest footballer ever, but the fact that he has been nominated for world player of the year is a testament to his quality
Eheh the funny thing Steve is that the original Gazzetta article quoting the interview was probably, in itself, a translation. Becks still can’t speak Italian…
But yeah, a model professional for sure. By the way, were you actually at the stadium Steve?
Professional. Maybe. Ultimate Showboater, Limelight hunter, Hollywood Prima Donna? OFCORZ!!!
Way off target on the first one Ishaq. You can accuse Beckham of many things, but showboating definitely ain’t one of them.
Great article! Yeah..he is the ultimate professional this sport, or any other sport, ever seen. And he is a great footballer too!
But Victor Li..I don’t think if he left LA to go to Milan it will deem him as unprofessional anymore. Besides, it is revealed now that his contract has an out clause after 2009. If you have a better future for your life, your career..would you not take it? Of course you would..and so would him I hope. He deserves only the best (or better) after all of his hard work and things he sacrifices for this game, not to mention his personal life. And it will do Galaxy good too!
there’s only one david beckham…
Outsider,
I respectfully disagree. First of all, we don’t know the exact term of the “out clause.” Not all “out clauses” are as cut-and-dried as one party simply saying “I’m done” to the other party. We don’t know if there are any conditions attached to it that might make things complicated.
Secondly, Beckham has stated, repeatedly, that he is committed to the Galaxy and intends to return. If he then goes back on his word and decides that he likes life in Milan after all, then that is unprofessional.
I agree that he has the right to do what’s best for himself and his family. If he wants to stay in shape and remain in the England picture for a few months rather than stay in L.A. and go to Lakers games and learn about Scientology from Tom Cruise, then I have no problem with that. But he signed a contract with MLS, not just for his $250 million, but for a chance to make American soccer relevant. We all knew he wouldn’t be Pele, but we expected that he would do his best in order to boost MLS’ profile. Quitting on the team because he likes Milan isn’t right. I hope that he stays true to his word and goes back to L.A.
He’ll go back. Summer is a diff story, but for now he’ll go back.
I can’t really see Beckham wanting to go back to LA to continue the failed experiment that even Gullit bailed out on muttering something about ‘family-related issues’. The Galaxy have resolutely refused to acknowledge his loan to AC Milan on their website but they talk about Donovan’s loan. Donovan criticised Beckham saying there was no value in his loan deal, and then promptly secures himself an identical deal in Germany… it looks very much like there is considerable discord between Becks and The Galaxy and whilst it would be noble to see the contract through I wonder if he feels there is little point continuing??
David Beckham needs to think about himself now. He has only a couple years left of quality football. Once he gets a bit older, he wont be able to play at the top level. Being a sportsman is a short life span. He needs to make the most of his time. I feel he should stay at Milan until the World Cup. Then once that is finished, he can go back to LA if he wants to. His ultimate dream is to win the World Cup. The only way he has a chance of being in that squad is to stay in Europe and play top quality football.
I have to agree with “World of Beckham” and James, the last two comments, and I did notice the sudden silence from club and league regarding Beckham — although it looked more like childish sullenness to me
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To go a bit further, no matter how much money AEG (LA Galaxy owners) and MLS put into the deal, the way they treated Beckham on his arrival was horrifying — anyone with common sense was relieved that no permanent damage was done by playing him injured. Now, also adding to what has been said in previous comments, sacked Galaxy personnel are coming out of the woodwork to lay each of the team’s faults at Beckham’s feet, with nary a word from above. Talk about poor form.
I might feel bad for the fans if Beckham did not return to LA — the more important of two things I suspect would draw him back — he didn’t play well for much of last season and he would want to put that right if his history is any indicator. The second draw would be his commitment to his teammates in LA, but which of them would not jump at the chance to enjoy the players at Milan and atmosphere at San Siro. I can’t imagine they could hold it against him.
As for owing the Galaxy or MLS anything, they made enough to cover the whole five years of his contract within six months of his arrival, they’re poorly managed from above and their back room has been a shambles. For someone with a couple of years left to play, possibly, staying in hopes that’s sorted is a huge risk.
This is entirely true. I dont disagree with the principle behind what the article says, although you cant help but feel its one giant back-scratching exercise. It seemed intuitively obvious when I heard the report that commented Beckham “didn’t do anything special”.
The “brand Beckham” thing makes the issue vastly more complex than it actually is. At the end of the day, I dont think Milan would have bought him to the club if it were based on his footballing abilities alone. There are so many players who have been on their way out that havent been given the chance to perform with such huge clubs. Set pieces, ok, he still does the business, but at the end of the day Ronaldinho was still on set pieces in the Roma match.
Beckham best player in england. i like it