David Beckham - voted best ever footballer

[OmarsComing]

He wasn't even the best player in any of the teams he played for.

Preston North End, La Galaxy

You fail

 

[Spurger King]

I think a better role model would be someone who hasn't cheated on his wife. Paul Scholes was a better footballer and managed to avoid making headlines for negative reasons during his entire career, I'd argue he's a better role model.

Not sure about that. When Scholes was asked why he retired from international football he could have said he wanted to extend his club career, or spend more time with his family. Instead he replied that he "didn't need to".

It shouldn't be a matter of whether you feel like you need to play for your country or not. It should be an honour even to be considered.

 

[OmarsComing]

And cheating is good for the relationship, just don't get caught.

 

[Spurger King]

Preston North End, La Galaxy

You fail

PNE and LA Galaxy had some amazing players.

 

[OmarsComing]

PNE and LA Galaxy had some amazing players.

Yeah but you were generalising, init

 

[Legacy]

Not sure about that. When Scholes was asked why he retired from international football he could have said he wanted to extend his club career, or spend more time with his family. Instead he replied that he "didn't need to".

It shouldn't be a matter of whether you feel like you need to play for your country or not. It should be an honour even to be considered.

Are you trying to suggest that not wanting to play football for your country is worse in terms of role model behaviour than cheating on your wife?

I'm a little hazy on the details now, but wasn't Scholes repeatedly messed about and played out of position for England in order for them to try to accommodate less talented players in his preferred position?

And come on now, the honour of representing England hasn't existed for a long time.

 

[Shanks]

I think a better role model would be someone who hasn't cheated on his wife. Paul Scholes was a better footballer and managed to avoid making headlines for negative reasons during his entire career, I'd argue he's a better role model.

Like I said, not confirmed anywhere.

Paul Scholes is a great role model.

Not exactly a great ambassador though, because he shys away from the limelight - kinda counter productive.

 

[Spurger King]

Are you trying to suggest that not wanting to play football for your country is worse in terms of role model behaviour than cheating on your wife?

I'm a little hazy on the details now, but wasn't Scholes repeatedly messed about and played out of position for England in order for them to try to accommodate less talented players in his preferred position?

And come on now, the honour of representing England hasn't existed for a long time.

I just meant that I don't think Scholes was much of a role model when it came to representing his country. Not saying it's worse than cheating on someone.

 

[Shanks]

I've just been looking at some pictures of that bint.

Fuck, I'd rag her rotten.

He must have banged that ;-)

 

[Geyzer Soze]

Such as? Its very rare that sporting heroes are perfect off the pitch but Beckham always conducted himself with class to me.

Jensen button, Rory Mcillroy, all of Olympics team GB pretty much, Jonny Wilkinson ... Bradley Wiggins, Steve redgrave ... I could go on and on

 

[Shanks]

Jensen button, Rory Mcillroy, all of Olympics team GB pretty much, Jonny Wilkinson ... Bradley Wiggins, Steve redgrave ... I could go on and on

None of those names have anywhere near the clout Beckham does!

 

[nightgoat]

David Beckham voted best ever footballer called David Beckham.

 

[dagraham]

Jensen button, Rory Mcillroy, all of Olympics team GB pretty much, Jonny Wilkinson ... Bradley Wiggins, Steve redgrave ... I could go on and on

None of which are footballers though. Again, I'm not saying he's a perfect role model but amongst footballers I don't think there are many who have had that much exposure and conduct themslves as well as him.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

None of those names have anywhere near the clout Beckham does!

I appreciate that. Which kind of ties in with my point. Beckham's 'clout' as you put it comes from having married a spice girl,being a decent footballer (ok, a really good one!) & having a celebrity status which he's worked on (or his missus has worked on) like crazy. Which is not how role models should be chosen, imo. But in this day & age it's all about the cult of celebrity which they've mastered, so you consider him a better role model than more deserving (but more modest) people such as I've listed and many many more

 

[Geyzer Soze]

None of which are footballers though. Again, I'm not saying he's a perfect role model but amongst footballers I don't think there are many who have had that much exposure and conduct themslves as well as him.

Oh. Must be footballers? I thought I was responding to 'sporting heroes'

No. Then I got nothing.

 

[Shanks]

I appreciate that. Which kind of ties in with my point. Beckham's 'clout' as you put it comes from having married a spice girl,being a decent footballer (ok, a really good one!) & having a celebrity status which he's worked on (or his missus has worked on) like crazy. Which is not how role models should be chosen, imo. But in this day & age it's all about the cult of celebrity which they've mastered, so you consider him a better role model than more deserving (but more modest) people such as I've listed and many many more

See to me it's more in the behaviour that is displayed.

Taking aside the work taken to getting him there - yes he married a spice girl - not even the most famous one, he ended up as England captain, carrying the england team and single handedly taking us the world cup.

The spice girl didn't do that for him.

He wore his heart on his sleeve, every time - and thats what got him to legenary status.

He was also deemed as one of the best footballers in the world at that time too, came 2nd in the Ballon D'or in 1999....

So that aside, he was elevated as a national hero - the work was done in football, from that he used his good looks, become a fashion icon, whilst still playing...

Still, it's his behaviour that I admire - he loves his family, he doesn't rock out of clubs mullured/drunk or with cocaine coming out of his nostrils, he behaves impeccably - that is how a role model is chosen.

He was spoken to about becoming an embassador for the UK, in the Olympic bid, he done it with pride and passion, and absolute advocate for the UK, there isn't a single person, bearing the Queen, Kate, Wills (royals) that does more for this country in terms of positive publicity, I can't honestly think of anyone.

Thats not to say there are people who do admirable work for much less fame and money - there is, but he uses his fame well enough and offers as much of his time about as he can - it's not how he got so famous that bothers me (every famous person has worked equally as hard to get famous), but his behaviour once he was famous.

It's a pretty pointless debate, because he is that famous, those listed aren't anywhere near as famous as Beckham is across the globe.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

I can't disagree ... except I think you are too hung up on the 'famous' part of role model

 

[spud]

Best ever? I can't remember an occasion when Beckham was even the best player in his own team - and I include his time in MLS in that. You have to question the judgement of people who voted for him.

 

[spud]

Spurger King said: ↑

He wasn't even the best player in any of the teams he played for.​

​

Preston North End, La Galaxy

I can't comment on Preston, but both Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane were / are better players for LA Galaxy than Beckham.

 

[OmarsComing]

​

I can't comment on Preston, but both Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane were / are better players for LA Galaxy than Beckham.

Robbie Keane was never better than Beckham, ever. Landon Donovan is closer.

Edit: lol at Keane's stats in MLS, and not one EPL club wanted him, MLS must be the pits!