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Why David Beckham is the 21st Century Pele

by Nicholas Katers

I have enjoyed soccer since I played summer ball in high school and college. It is an interesting sport with a lot of grace, speed and skill required over a 90 minute period. The arguments by American sports fans against the sport are understandable when looking through the lens of “mines bigger than yours? sports fans who want scoring and offense constantly.

Alright, I fall into that latter group in certain instances based on my mood. I do know one thing for certain without reservations due to my daily mood swings: America will never be ready for soccer. The only way soccer will make it in America is if we go to a parliamentary system, eliminate other sports and become more physically fit. Unfortunately, none of these things will happen.

David Beckham IS the next Pele when it comes to professional soccer in America. Pele came to America to play pro soccer in New York in the 1970s in the twilight of his career and the league collapsed in the aftermath of his retirement. Beckham has barely played and he is drawing the attention of the people that matter to the media: celebrities. When Beckham retires prematurely due to injury in a year’s time, the media will pack up shop and Tom Cruise will cash in his Galaxy season tickets and try to get American football back in the City of Angels.

It is time to stop pretending that David Beckham is some sports savior and realize that most European soccer observers see him as someone on the wane of his career. Sorry to go sports talk radio on all of you in a media criticism blog but celebrity news and real news shows need to chill out.


Posted in David Beckham, celebrity, sports on August 31st, 2007

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Media Criticism takes a critical look at the media's coverage of news, politics, celebrities, and current events. It is not intended as a replacement for traditional media; rather, it is an analytical lens through which mainstream journalism can be viewed.

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