David Beckham -- My Side

Kristian 9d

Surely "His Side"

David Beckham is the one sports star, who not only is a phenominal player, but is probably the most famous sports icon outside just soccer. It is definetely harder to find someone that has not heard of David Beckham, than someone who has. People occasionaly wonder, however; "Why Beckham? Why is he so famous?" The answer might not be very simple, but maybe it is the combination of a great shot, a fantastic cross, his own Adidas shoe, his changing hair-style, his modeling career, his marriage to the Spice Girl Victoria Beckham (formerly Adams), his big mistake against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup, his England capitancy and him having belonged to the two largest teams in history that make him so popular among the crowd. When one reads David Beckham's autobiography, David Beckham My Side, something that is surely visible and clear, is his igoistic thoughts and life-style.

David Robert Joseph Beckham was born to a middle class house in Chingford, the outer skirt of London. He was born in a family, where sports was already part of the daily routine. His father played soccer, Ted, for a small team in Chingford and his older sister, Lynne, was a very promising swimmer. Since he could stand up, he was already kicking a ball with his hero, his father, before, during and after Ted's practice. David was always eager to come to see his father train, and learn from him. In the book, his mother, Sandra, is found saying "It was clear from the beginning, that David's life would be controlled by football." (Beckham 19). Even as a child, David was a Manchester United fan. He would watch every game that they played.

He joined his first Sunday League team at the age of six, The Ridgeway Rovers. He was a year younger than everyone, and it was obvious. He was always the smallest, whether it was his football team or his class. A year later, a new face joined the family. David was devostated for getting a little sister, Joanne, instead of a brother, but he would very soon realize that there was nothing to be sad about. Joanne was always following his older brother everywhere he went. Ted is quoted saying "She seemed to follow David everywhere, absloutely everywhere!" (Beckham 26). David played on as many as three teams simoltanuasly, and often his sisters were complaining about how their life is completely wound in David and his football.

At the age of 12, David decided to take part in the Bobby Charlton Soccer Skills competition. David remembers being very frightened, because almost everyone there was at least three years older than he was. He was, however, up to the challenge, and won the very prestigious competition. His prize was training for a week with the F.C. Barcelona team, in Barcelona. The trip was even more special, because he had the chance to meet one of his heroes, Mark Hughes, who played for Barcelona that season. A couple of months later, he would get to play for his first big club, Tottenham Hotspur. This was fantastic for