The one man who has added glitz, glamour and freekicks to the last 3 World Cups tore his Achilles tendon making it almost impossible to play this year. This week’s ‘Shady View’ sees iSporter Pulasta Dhar shattered as he writes on the injury of the man who made him watch football…
When David Beckham kicked a ball against Chievo this weekend and then clutched at his calf, all those watching might have winced. But when he hobbled towards the technical area and collapsed writhing in pain, the rest of the world was probably facing as much heartache too. When Becks then realized that his dream of playing in the World Cup was over, tears were unstoppable for a man who has never been ashamed of crying in public. Media hurried across in frenzy as it became clear that it was an Achilles injury; probably a recurrence of the one he suffered the last World Cup too.
David Beckham is a living legend. A lot of times, he has been England’s one man army. The player, born with a bent left knee has always been so determined that he made his defect work for him rather than against him. Now you have your answer why you could never bend as much as he does while kicking the ball. David Beckham was hoping he could make it to a fourth successive World Cup and become the only English player to do so, but alas, his tendon gave away when most required.
Let me be very clear about this….he is the reason I started watching football and I simply love him. My friend told me one day when I was 10 years old that there’s a player who wears white boots and scores tons of freekicks and I need to check out his crossing. A complete cricket buff by then, I switch on the TV next time a team called Manchester Utd were due to play and I've never seen a full game of cricket since. My face went as blank as a white paper when I saw him marauding the right flank of United. Never going till the touchline like wingers these days go, but just dinking floaters into the area. And the strikers would just touch them in….so perfect were those deliveries. He now occupies a permanent place in my bedroom in the form of 3 posters.
I do not want to sound as if I am writing a eulogy for the most recognizable faces in the world. That I will do, one day, probably 40 years later. But there have been many who say that this might be the last major injury that the body of Beckham can take. One decision he took wrong in his entire life was to move to LA Galaxy and I am sure he probably regrets it, as flying across the Atlantic has taken its toll.
Disciplinarian Fabio Capello was quoted as saying, "We have to wait for the results of the scan but it looks like he is out of the World Cup. I spoke with him after the game on Sunday night to offer my support. David is a great professional and has worked very hard to be ready for the World Cup, so missing it will be a big blow.” Capello is not a crazy man. He had David penciled for the World Cup because he knows that he is one who can command respect from his teammates and be the right impact in the time of need.
As I analyze the chances of this England squad, here is no player who is as technically gifted as Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and David Beckham. I was having a chat with my Editor and told him that there is no winger in the England squad since the last 15 years that has been as good as David. Walcott, Wright-Phillips and Lennon might all have the pace and dribbling skills but the telling ball has never been their strong point. So, what is the use of being called a winger when you cannot cross well? As for David Beckham, he doesn’t even have to run…he just swings. With serial header Wayne Rooney getting better and better with every game and Peter Crouch taller than 99% of the footballers, Becks is a gold mine.
You saw what he did against United in the Champions League in the 27 minutes on field. He was superb, scaring the hell out of Van Der Sar with a vicious volley and a couple of luscious crosses from the right. Capello would have needed him no doubt, and the rest of his fans would have needed him too. It is sad that a player who has always given his all for his country to make it to the World Cup will have to be left out due to a ridiculous unchallenged injury.
Let us hope for a miracle for him to be cured, because like it or not, he is still one of the best where England are concerned. Sometimes, life is just not fair…..ask Beckham if you have a doubt.
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Akshay Iyer
said:
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... Well written, Pulasta. Real tragedy for Beckham to be missing out on the World Cup in this manner. Hope it's not the end of his international career though. England is bound to miss Beckham in South Africa, as Milan will for the remainder of the Serie A season. |
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