Living Goldenballs--Mastering the Art Of The Comeback

Nothing surpised me more than when, in January of 2007, I heard the news that David Beckham had signed for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Flabbergasted. Saddened at the thought that he was leaving European football for American soccer. What disappointed me more was to know that this was already a done deal, that there was nothing that could be done for him to stay where he and his talents belong. There were talks that Real Madrid was renegotiating for a new contract; that he could be going home to England as clubs there were showing interest (not least of all was Tottenham, where his grandfather wanted him to play for when he was a kid). Even the news that some Italian clubs came sniffing was an improvement (Italian football doesn't have the best reputation after the match-fixing scandal and I still haven't gotten over neither the neat little stunt that Materazzi pulled in the WC'06 Finals nor that one Italian who slapped Becks at the back of the head in an England friendly years ago).

But they were talking about a US$250,000, five-year contract. I don't think that there could be any more of a done deal than that.

After the shock wore off, I followed more closely (if that's even possible) his last few months with glorious European football. I was over the moon when he got invited to play for European XI against Manchester United last March 13 as the Red Devils celebrated fifty years of European football competition. Injury might not have allowed him to play that evening in Old Trafford but his speech at half-time thanking the crowd for their support over the years was a presence well worth it. For me, what was more beautiful than the Red Devils' 4-3 rout of the European select was the standing ovation Becks got from the crowd who was welcoming a son home as well as saying goodbye to a bigger-than-life hero who started carving his name in sporting history as a sixteen-year old apprentice for their youth team.

And who could forget the all-too-funny Capello snub? Of course, it didn't start funnily at all. After learning of Becks' new Galaxy contract, Real Madrid Fabio Capello publicly announced that there wasn't room for him in the club anymore and that he would be sitting out all of the remaining matches of the season. But the being the soldier that he has always been, Becks continued to train with the squad even if he was relegated to attending the matches from the VIP box. But two consecutive losses later, Capello was forced to eat his words (plus a generous helping of humble pie) and recalled Beckham to the line-up. And what did he dish out on his first game back? A stunning goal in the 39th minute in the Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Real Sociedad on February 10.

In the sixteen matches that followed, the Meringues only suffered one loss, five draws, and ten wins. Becks was sidelined for a couple of weeks or so in March due to an ankle injury and I could never wholly credit his return from the Capello omission for the fabulous turnaround. But noone could also deny that Goldenballs was playing like a man possessed during his last few months with the Spanish giants. I was a fool to believe that he was going to leave Spain with nothing to show for for the four years he had stayed there. Well, maybe learning the language. But it did look bleak for the club by December of last year as they continued to languish behind Sevilla and Barcelona. The second half of the season told a different story though as the two clubs began to stumble. By May they were ahead of Barca by a point until June 10 when they drew against Real Zaragoza. I was about to go apoplectic until Barca drew their match as well a few minutes later.

But right before the Spanish season capped off, another big surprise came about. England coach Steve McClaren recalled Becks to the national squad. I couldn't be more happier. After disappointing performances, losses, and with the qualification for Euro 2008 in jeopardy, he had no other choice. He couldn't deny either that the former captain was playing his best football in years for his club. He started in the England friendly with Brazil on June 2. In typical style, a Beckham free-kick found current captain John Terry to score in. The match ended 1-1 but it showed a much more improved national line-up. Not to mention a country grateful for a certain midfielder's return, apparent during the player introductions when his name was answered by cheers from the filled-to-capacity, newly built Wembley Stadium. What's more, he later provided two assists in England's 3-0 win against Estonia a few days later.

Then June 17, 2007 came--and what a day to remember. It was a sudden death situation between the greatest club rivals in Spanish football. SkySports actually had both matches on their screen. Barca's match finished a few minutes early and they had a great win. But somehow Real Madrid played better that night after being a goal down at half-time. They were two goals up by the 83rd minute and all they had to do was play defense for the next few minutes. What had been in question the entire season held off the Mallorca attack until the last whistle. The celebrations afterwards--the fireworks and the lights held up by the fans in the usually floodlit Estadio Bernabeu was a stunning sight to say the least. They weren't just celebrating the return of the trophy to Madrid, but also paying tribute to two heroes that wouldn't be returning in the next season. Brazilian Roberto Carlos had been a Meringue for what seemed like forever and had been a permanent fixture in the team since I started following them in 1998. And then there was Becks--who had only played for the club for four years and yet, won many of the hearts of one of the harshest fans in Spanish football. The sight of them both draped in their respective national flags, hugging each other, will always a favorite memory of mine. What was more bittersweet was the picture all four Beckham boys made while celebrations were going on on the pitch. Becks left Spain a hero after all. (While Cappello got the boot a week or so later. Boo hoo!)

Barely a month had passed since celebrating with the Spanish campeones in Las Cibeles, draping the goddess with the Spanish flag and partying until morning, our little bee flew across the pond to join his new club, er, team. The Beckhams' arrival in the States could not be described to be less than a media circus. It was ridiculous as the week before his July 13 unveiling proved to be a slow sports news week. It boggles the mind that people who hadn't seen him play yet are suddenly in like with him, ready to worship in the altar of the Beckham brand. I've been there and still am a Beckhamist through and through. But unlike the majority of his new adoring American public, I know an offside when I see one. (Note that I said majority.) I'm not saying it's bad but I hope they see him more on a different angle and get past their infatuation with his face or his body (I, for one, am sure it's not the voice!). God knows, I've been working on that for the past ten years I've followed this bloke's life and career. In the process, I have come to love the sport he plays for what it is. He is in the US to be an ambassador of the game, to promote the game's popularity in a country already filled with great sports. I hope people give him a real chance to do just that.

All the fanfare aside, it was a slow going as he made the transition from being a Galactico to being one of the Galaxy. He was training with the team but the ankle injury he had been nursing since March kept him in the sidelines. He played a few minutes when the Galaxy hosted Chelsea (thanks for spoiling the party, JT). Then people got antsy as he sat out most of the next LA games. Critics were frothing at the mouth at how the Goldenballs was overpaid and overhyped. He apologized to the fans and later gifted those who patiently wait when he showed just how to bend it in the 18th minute as well as provided the assist for a Landon Donovan goal in their 2-0 win over DC United in the SuperLiga 2007 semis last August 14--this, of course, was after long-time Galaxy captain Donovan ceded the captaincy to Becks. He also had three assists in his long-delayed MLS debut game three days later. He does know the best way to shut those critics up! A little more cooperation (defense, perhaps?) from the rest of the Galaxy would be dearly appreciated.

I don't think he would lose his edge and, especially not his talents, on the pitch from less than competitive football. The man was born and bred for the game. In spite of his injury, he's still officially on duty for August 22nd's friendly against Germany. Many have surmised that he would be having difficulties keeping his place in the national squad again if he continues to play halfway around the world. No offense to the footy in America but I'm not fantastical enough to believe that it would ever come up to par with their top-flight European equivalent. Didn't Real Madrid rout their All-Star team summer of last year? I have to say though that Mr Beckham have triumphed over the worst of critics during the past several months. Let's see how he proves his critics wrong this time around.

After all, the Beckham show never disappointments.