It never seemed in doubt. David Beckham would lead out Team GB on Thursday, July 26th at Old Trafford for the start of his swan song in International football.
But yesterday news broke that Beckham’s “last dream” had been shattered as Stuart Pearce opted to select a former Manchester United team-mate, Ryan Giggs, ahead of him.
We look at six reasons why Pearce’s decision is a disgrace:
He Helped Bring The Olympics To Britain
Let’s not forget the huge role Beckham played in bringing the Olympic games to this country. He was part of the official Olympic torch handover in Beijing four years ago, and to suggest now after all he has done that he won’t be part of the Games themselves is a disservice to him and indeed the nation.
He has worked tirelessly in his role as an Ambassador for the games, working alongside the BOA’s precious “sponsors” to ensure they keep their millions of pounds rolling in.
Beckham is a global brand and it’s not stretch of the imagination to suggest that through his role as Ambassador he has helped bring thousands of foreign visitors to London for the games.
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6 Comments
Theres one flaw with all of that… and its a pretty big one. One of your reasons isn’t his talent or ability with a football. He just doesn’t have the skills with a ball anymore. We can’t give Borris Johnson a spot in the “wiff waff” because he helped bring the olympics to us. Beckham hasn’t got it anymore. Unfortunately as a football fan I enjoy the spectacle more than the politics behind it. Beckham said he wanted to be in the team by merit and he just can’t, he’d be a ‘tag along’ player. Stuart Pearce isn’t a stupid manager, he has a good idea of whats best for the team.
Put feelings for Beckham aside, his previous achievements (and lets not forget his short comings too) and just look solely on his benefit on the pitch. He hasn’t played proper high level competitive football in years. He hasn’t got the pace, even though I think he still has the technical ability, so will everyone else who gets in the team. Yes, he is a great role model an “inspiration” but there will be other players of his statue in the team that can do the same job in moulding the younger players.
I think on this occasion Stuart Pearce has got to think with his head not his heart. If he wants to appease people with sentimental value then Beckham’s his man, if he wants to win games then Beckham doesn’t hit the standard. Personally, I’d rather see us win games then feel warm and fussy inside for Beckham’s first touch but the resent him being in the team because he gives every other touch away.
Looking at the previous comments I have one question, if it is about athletes at the top of their game coming together to see who is best,why has Craig Bellamy been selected? He’s more likely to start scrapping with a team mate than win us a game!
Yeah I agree with Jamie, Pearce was right not to pick him. I mean, no-one has done more for bringing the Olympics to Britain than Sebastian Coe but I don’t see people lobbying for him to have a starting place in the 1500m.
The Olympics is about the worlds greatest athletes coming together to compete at the highest level, each and every one of them at the peak of their abilities. Beckham, who is someone I greatly admire, is not at that level anymore.
The day we start stunt-booking household names for extra ‘bums-on-seats’ and advertising revenues is the day that part of what makes the Olympics so special will die.
Beckham still has lots to bring in any game. Even if it was just he’s presence and experience.
He still has it and he’s a victim of someone liking the idea of looking tough and professional.
Couldnt agree more with this article, like it or not beckham alongside scholes & gerrard has been the best mIdfielder this countries produced, he deserved this as a send off, for the work he’s done but also on merit. In fact I’d have happily seen him at the euro’s. Are you telling me you would have started no frills workhorse Milner over ageing yet able to pass a 60 yard ball beckham. Disgrace
When will a England manager have the courage build a team and a system round a talented ball player? Beckham can still hit 60 yard passes that take out whole defenses. With goals so hard to score at top level any free kick around the penalty area then Beckham is still the best in the world. Yes, he cannot track back like he could but his vision adds so much to any team he plays for going forward. Gutted, he has not been selected and disgusted with Pearce. If G.B. do well then great, if they don’t the public will never forgive Stuart Pearce. Football Fans all over the world will be dissapointed that David Beckham is not playing in the Olympics.