David Beckham steps onto the field and exudes stardom when he plays the world’s most popular sport of soccer. His natural talent and ability shines, and his A-list celebrity status decorates the tabloids and the news. His recent decision to come to the United States for Major League Soccer will affect the world on and off the field.
Beckham immediately became a star at 18 when he played in his first professional soccer game for Manchester United. This stardom soared when he became a regular on the field and helped his team win a Premier Division title, an FA Cup Championship and an advance to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. His status exploded when he moved to the Real Madrid soccer team in 2003, where he currently plays.
Mainstream British press noticed Beckham’s success which set off a domino effect. He became known as an international symbol not only for his impact on European soccer but for his striking good looks. An article published in Time Magazine in 2000 named Beckham in “Time 100’s List of Heroes and Icons.” It described him as being “idolized by men for his athletic prowess and by women for his devilish good looks.” The article portrays him as a god among men and said that this persona is only enhanced by his glamorous wife, Victoria Beckham, explaining how she is known for her keen fashion sense and socialite lifestyle. She is a “style icon in her own right.” The Beckham family rose to new heights in soccer and stardom by conquering Europe, a feat they hope to soon achieve right here in America.
A press release on the Los Angeles Galaxy Web site reported that David Beckham will join the team for the 2007 season when his contract ends with Real Madrid in June.
His contract comes with endless endorsements worth an excess of $250 million. The CEO of Alderac Entertainment Group adds, “David Beckham will have a great impact on soccer in America than any athlete ever had on a sport globally…he will be an ambassador and the best role model for athletes and fans of soccer…David is truly the individual that can build the ‘bridge’ between soccer in America and the rest of the world.” He points out that soccer in America will become much more popular and mainstream.
An SMU soccer player, Allison Brill, comments, “Hopefully his popularity will bring more attention to soccer in America. It will bring more fans and people will keep track of the games now. Hopefully more European players will come over to play.”
The A-List status of David and Victoria Beckham will shake up the celebrity system in Los Angeles while also promoting the new soccer world in America. What initially started as gossip about a great soccer player turned into headlines about the famous Beckham family. It is no doubt that the future of American soccer rests at the feet of David Beckham.
The world will watch as the family starts a whole new ball game and rise into mainstream American press in the paparazzi-filled streets of Los Angeles. It all begins this August at kickoff of the 2007 Major League Soccer season.
