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.
XI SERIES: ADIDAS PREDATOR
We at The Right Winger love boots. We also love football so we have decided to put together our best XI. The twist is that the teams are boot specific. We start off our new ‘XI’ series with the Adidas Predator. Most players who wear Predators have gone across to wearing the new Predator X. There are however still quite a few stragglers.
So who gets into The Right Wingers dream Predator XI?
Strikers:
Dimitar Berbatov hasn’t been as big a hit at Old Trafford as some would like but his classy touch and silky skill can leave any defense wrapped around themselves.
Robin Van Persie is possibly the best striker in the Premier League. Often over looked because of the exploits of Torres, Rooney and the like, Van Persie is any defenders’ nightmare. Pace, power and hunger – a deadly combination.
Midfielders:
Steven Gerrard is pure class. Deny it all you want but Liverpool are a different side when their captain isn’t around. His powerful long range shots are a continuous threat.Gerrard never accepts defeat. He lives by the motto: ‘never say die’!
Anderson arrived with a big price tag but has perhaps failed to prove his worth consistently so far. He is still young and will master his trade in time. His energy enables him to cover kilometers while his tackles and passes can break down and launch attacks.
Antonio Valencia is fast. Any defender fears pace (except maybe Ashley Cole) and Valencia has bags of it. A good crosser and a tricky customer, he has recently found some scoring form after hardly finding the back of the net for Wigan.
Niko Kranjcar was one of Harry’s favourites at Portsmouth and a move to White Heart Lane wasn’t a surprise. Perfectly complimenting Aaron Lennon, Niko has quickly become a white hot, White Heart favourite.
Defenders:
Micah Richards is strong, fast and hard. Although often deployed in central defense, we think that his best position is right back. Great going forward and tough to get past at the back, Micah could be England’s future.
Jamie Carragher is a Liverpool legend. Those legs may not be what they used to be but you won’t see him giving up easily. He maybe hasn’t had the best season (compared to last season) but he is still as solid as a tower.
Thomas Vermaelen came out of nowhere to be the darling of the Emirates. A defender who can score is not an everyday discovery. Arsène Wenger has a way of discovering gems. Thomas is one of his best finds.
Leighton Baines is not the first name that springs to mind when you think of left backs. The Everton fullback is in sparkling form after a slow start on Merseyside. A great crosser and solid defender. Ashley Cole’s injury could see Leighton receive an England call up.
Goalkeeper:
Edwin Van Der Sar just keeps going. At 39 you may think his best is behind him. That theory is proved wrong every weekend when he dons the number 1 for Manchester United. Fergie must fear his retirement.
The bench (or special mention):
Ledley King
Morten Gamst Pederson
Dirk Kuyt
Tim Cahill
Michael Ballack
Who do you think should be part of Predator’s XI?
PREDATORS GET YOUR PULSE RACING
After 10 years on the feet of the world’s superstars, Adidas released their anniversary boot. The Adidas Predator Pulse.
Soccerbible once again tracks back along the Predator timeline. Read the latest review here:
2002 WAS PREDATOR MANIA!
Well I may have spoilt the surprise about what the new Predators look like (although i may not have, I’m not sure…).
2002 saw the release of the Predator Mania – in my opinion, the best looking pair of the lot.
Read Soccerbible’s next installment here:
