It’s pretty hard to imagine what goes through the head of any player when they are ruled out of a major International competition, but David Beckham must be wondering exactly what he has done to upset the World Cup.
Granted, when he looks back at his World Cup experiences, he can boast scoring in all three of them and captaining his country in two.
But it might be the other memories that hang over him when his career ends without an International medal. The perfect free-kick against Colombia followed by the incident involving Diego Simeone at France ’98 set the tone for Beckham’s World Cup back catalogue.
As well as Argentina, he can point to single-handedly dragging us to Japan/Korea in 2002 then crashing out to 10-man Brazil in the Quarter Finals, the first of their goals stemming from a failed tackle/clearance from the man himself on the stroke of half-time.
And of course the injury that forced him off in the loss to Portugal in 2006, which ultimately led to him resigning the captaincy.
Depressing, this, isn’t it? Maybe it’s all a bit blown out of proportion. Let’s face it, Beckham wasn’t going to be starting in South Africa. He was going to be there as the unofficial leader, the man who most of the younger players (and perhaps a few of the older ones, too) would turn to if their legs started trembling at the sight of Argentina in the second round. Is that what we wanted? The equivalent of an old, bearded man who sits in a bar, warning young and reckless sailors of the perils of the sea? Well, is it? Now that I think of it, I wouldn’t mind that scene played out. But metaphorically, no we do not.
Should we be more worried about the fitness of Ferdinand? And Cole? And Lennon? And the mental states of the likes of that balding sexer-upper John Terry? These are the men who will be starting against the USA, surely.
It also relieves Capello a difficult decision of who to leave out. Now, nobody in the world- let alone in England- can rival Beckham’s delivery and vision. But we can fill the hole with the pace of Ashley Young, the drive of James Milner and the skill of Joe Cole. Are we milking the demise of Beckham now, when really it was probably upon us and him a couple of years ago anyway?
Well, in a word, no.
Beckham’s illustrious career was missing only a successful crack at a major international tournament. A final appearance, though no footballer would admit it, would have perhaps sufficed. But he never got close- and when you consider that performance against Greece to take us to the World Cup in 2002, you have to wonder whether the football Gods (not Jamie Redknapp and Adrian Chiles, to name only two) are just simply against him. There are not many people in the world who would become the person Beckham has after people burnt effigies of them on the streets.
This tournament was made for the man from Hollywood to grab the headlines for his one final fling. Instead he will be watching at home, recovering from a pretty nasty injury, knowing he won’t ever get another chance at fulfilling the potential he always had of being a world beater. At least he’ll have Wayne Bridge for company.
God, it gets worse.
A quick look at last night’s Match of the Day 2 and it’s starting to become apparent that Martin Keown is setting new records when it comes to weirdness on television. We all know he has the make-up of a murderer. The eyes, the big hands, the calm exterior and blood boiling inner soul. Have you seen the way he looks at the new kid who presents Football Focus when he makes a joke about the ‘old days at Arsenal’? It could skin a rabbit.
He also seems to find it impossible to talk without his hands being wide open. Watch him, next time he’s on, and see how the second he starts talking, his hands break away from that relaxed (or ‘dormant’ and he calls it in his lair) position and just open up. It’s to say ‘hey, I’m an open and honest guy, I’ve nothing to hide’. Except the human hair that makes up your bed linen, mate.
But last night, he came out with a totally nonsensical musing about the United vs Fulham game, stating ‘it had a real Mother’s Day atmosphere about it’. Really? Is there a fake Mother’s Day atmosphere? Or do fans turn up with breakfast in bed for the players? Does everyone give each other flowers and cards they made at home with glitter and a shit load of glue? What is the meaning of this, Martin? What is the meaning of this????
Ever noticed how Martin is an ever-present on the MOTD2 sofa but they keep having to replace the second guest? Bilic, Curbishley, Pardew, Savage, and now Warnock. Other commitments, you say? Commitments under the floorboards, maybe.
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