Downloadable photos via ESPN Images
Following David Beckham’s announcement today that he will retire from professional soccer at season’s end, three ESPN commentators shared their perspectives on Beckham’s career.
Alexi Lalas was President and GM of the Los Angeles Galaxy when Beckham joined the team in June 2007 from Real Madrid FC. Kasey Keller, former U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper, played against Beckham in English football and Major League Soccer. Critically acclaimed soccer play-by-play commentator Ian Darke has been in the TV booth commentating on matches throughout most of Beckham’s 20-year professional football career.
On Beckham’s legacy:
Alexi Lalas: “On the field, he will ultimately be remembered as a winner. Off the field, he will be remembered as the brand that he created.”
“… Beckham is a player who, at times, was maligned and yet, time and time again, he was able to come back and provide moments of brilliance under incredible pressure … David Beckham was not the greatest soccer player to ever live, but what he did with what he had is impressive.”
Kasey Keller: “David was such a great team player – usually in a team full of superstars. He was a guy that would do the running, defend for the team. He would also be a guy looking to bring other people into play. When you are playing for teams like Manchester United, like Real Madrid, AC Milan, it is so key to have an incredibly talented player, but one that also is willing to do the team role. That’s where David just kind of stood apart from a lot of superstars.”
Ian Darke: “Beckham was a phenomenon. Not England’s greatest player but its best export and ambassador. He transcended his sport to become a global icon. Not bad for a gas fitter’s son from East London. We may not see his trademark sweet passing and free kicks anymore, but I have no doubt that David will be a star as long as he lives.”
On Beckham’s Major League Soccer legacy:
Lalas: “There is a reason that when people think about Major League Soccer, the first thing they think about is the LA Galaxy – that’s because of David Beckham.
“When we look back many years from now, the arrival of David Beckham is going to be looked at as a pivotal moment in the development and the evolution of the game.”
Keller: “If you think of where he was at that time in his career – at Real Madrid, just won a title – and he decides to leave one of the top-three or top-four biggest clubs in the world to come over to Major League Soccer and to help put it on the map … That’s really what he did.
“He was one of those few athletes around the world that transcend only being a player. He was a global icon at that stage and people heard of Major League Soccer because of David Beckham.”
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