DAVID BECKHAM: A WORLD CUP (BOOT) LEGACY

Some people (or teams) seem to have all the luck. Every four years a World Cup rolls around. Only one team can win and it’s often the one surrounded with the least fuss. England can’t seem to build up to the World Cup finals (or any competition for that matter) without some sort of scandal or injury woe. One of the men who has received a fair bit of criticism and public maligning is David Beckham. It seems that Golden Balls is never ‘liked’. He is only ever loved and adored, or hated and hung by the media.

Beckham is an Adidas icon and has been wearing their Predator line of boots since he began his career. With a ruptured Achilles tendon, Beckham’s chances of making a fourth World Cup are now gone. It is a loss for Adidas and brand Beckham but it is also a loss for football.

We take a look back at the boots and defining moments of Becks’ World Cup legacy.

Fifa World Cup 1998 France

David Beckham used his Adidas Predator Accelerator boots in a moment of madness as he kicked out at Diego Simeone. Beckham was sent off and England were knocked out on penalties. His return to England was met with much criticism and abuse as he bore the brunt of the blame for their elimination.

Fifa World Cup 2002 Korea/Japan

Beckham retuned to take his revenge on Argentina as his powerfully struck penalty sent the South Americans out of the World Cup. He couldn’t have asked for a sweeter strike from his Adidas Predator Mania football boots. England went on to lose to Brazil (the eventual winners) in the quarter-finals.

Fifa World Cup 2006 Germany

Beckham’s third World Cup again ended in agony. This time it was both physical and emotional. It would prove to be the last time Beckham would captain the Three Lions. England were again knocked out in the quarter-finals, this time by Portugal. Beckham, wearing Adidas Predators  had to be substituted after half time due to an injury. He later stepped down as captain in an emotionally charged press conference.

Fifa World Cup 2010 South Africa

David Beckham’s desire to play in four World Cups drove him to move to AC Milan on loan during the MLS off season. The move helped him secure a place in Fabio Cappelo’s squad through the qualifying campaign. He would have donned his new, unique Adidas Predator X football boots as the world watched. It is not to be unfortunately. Beckham’s career is in no way finished. He will most likely never play in a World Cup again however.