Beckhamization: Decoding the last career move of football’s most loved face
At 37, Paris Saint-Germain is probably David Beckham’s last destination and the man with the golden privates will probably hang up his boots at the end of the season. After winning major trophies in three different countries, on two different continents, it’s rather bemusing as to why a player would sign for a club in one of the most maligned league’s in Europe.
PARIS, FRANCE – JAN 31: David Beckham attends the press conference for his PSG signing at Parc des Princes.
Money which, was being mooted as a primary reason, was ruled out as a possibility when the star pledged his 6-month’s wages to a children’s charity in France. Hence the media saw the question, what lies beyond the money? Is it a golden heart or is it simply a “more-moolah-business” strategy? Well, in some ways the move is built around money, though not directly. And secondly at this stage, for a player of Beckham’s stature, a “new challenge” was beckoning. Hence the move to France.
PSG are by no means a small club. They may have been floating mid-table before the Qatar Foundation took them under their wings, but their fame in Europe stretches back decades to the golden-era of European football. Two top division titles, eight Coupe de France trophies, 3 Coupe de La Ligue and a Cup Winner’s Cup; a majority of these coming in the late 90?s. A number of top player’s including the likes of Ronaldinho, Pauleta, Claude Makelele, Nicolas Anelka, Edmilson, Gabriel Hienze and George Weah have donned the red-and-blue of PSG at some point of time.
David Beckham, finds himself at a club, which is past the group stages of the Champions League, successfully, and is leading the Ligue 1 table, head-to-head with Lyonnais. And the Parisians have been touted as serious contenders for Europe’s top honor, after a number of gutsy performances in the group stages.
Beckham admits that he may not even find himself in the starting line-up at the Parc des Princes. Then, why move? It’s simple, he get’s to compete, if he can. He has a horde of world-class players around him. And he brings experience to a club, which is on the rise. The vast composure and tactical experience that the former-England captain brings to Ancelotti’s training room is worth every pound in the three and half million offered to him. When an all-achiever like Beckham, who is known for his leadership skills and calmness, enters a dressing room with the ego’s of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Jeremy Menez, Ezequiel Lavezzi and many others, the other’s are bound to respect his presence and follow his lead. Arsenal FC have agreed to let him train with their first-team on various occasions for the very same reason.
Beckham may not be a typical winger anymore, but the dinosaur of world football will find his fair share of playing time in France. He could be tactically deployed as deep-lying playmaker and could dictate the game and create chances for the clinical, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. A role similar to that of Ryan Gigg’s at Manchester United. Again, Beckham’s presence on the bench would be a big advantage for King Carlo, with Fabio Capello having tried out the same at the World Cup in South Africa.
The French daily that called Becks a ‘third hand Rolls-Royce’ surely doesn’t have an motor-sport section, that would have advised against the tag, as vintage-car’s sell at a higher price compared to newer automobiles.
Now, the ugly bit. The move is a well-crafted money spinner for both, the club and player. Qatar Foundation have found themselves at logger-heads with preachers of Financial Fair-Play in football at numerous occasions since taking over the club. The billions being pumped in have not gone unnoticed and it is time that the club starts to adhere to UEFA’s master plan, to develop a uniform playing-field for all clubs across Europe, big or small. The big charity check being offered, is definitely on PSG’s behalf veiled behind the mask of David Beckham. The move offer’s PSG a chance to prove that they are breaking even and toeing the line laid out by UEFA’s hopeful.
The PSG outlet’s across France are already selling Beckham-32 shirts at all their outlets, albeit at a hefty price tag in the range of $50-150. Millions being raked in shirt sales and other merchandising. “Ka-ching PSG”.
PARIS, FRANCE – JAN 31: David Beckham poses with his PSG Football shirt after his PSG signature at Parc des Princes.
Qatar have managed to wrangle the rights for hosting the 2022 World Cup. With the transfer completed, the Qatari government has effectively forged a long-term relationship with the player, who is recognized as the face of modern football. This not only bolsters the marketing stratagem in place for the World Cup, but with Al-Jazeera’s global network, it also enables them to help bring Arab football to the fore in the process. It has been long coming, and Qatar’s new Alladin will do just that. Give the domestic leagues the exposure they deserve outside Asia.
On behalf of Beckham, it prevents him from becoming a tax payer in France. Beckham’s major income isn’t from club salaries, but the plethora of brands he endorses. For god’s sake, one can even smell like David Beckham, after paying a small fortune of course. A beautiful player in the most beautiful city in the world. Enter more endorsement deals for Beckham, which will essentially make him the most marketable face in world football, ever.
In the end, David is David. Love him or hate him, the man has it all.