Endless birthday party
When you have in hand huge fortune, global fame and a network of friends of Hollywood A-list stars, there is no reason to organize just one birthday party. David Beckham is such a case.
Beckham's 50-year-old event streak - stretching across both sides of the Atlantic - began in March with a party at Cipriani, a notorious Italian restaurant in Miami that did not disclose menus or prices online. Lionel Messi is on the list of more than 100 guests, along with Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets - all of whom are players of Inter Miami, a team that Beckham is both a co-owner and a soul.
The photos show Beckham looking small next to legendary NFL Tom Brady and former basketball star Shaquille O'Neal - two people with heights of 1m93 and 2m16 respectively. Hollywood stars such as: Justin Theroux, lower lower body temperature, singer Marc Anthony, supermodel chi Crawford... were also present at this luxurious party.
Beckham's official birthday is May 2, many photos are posted on Instagram - currently with 88 million followers. A number that clearly reflects the global iconic status of the person that the Football King Pele once described as more like a Pop star than a football player.
I have a great respect for David, F1 racer Lewis Hamilton shared before Grand Prix Miami, where Beckham often appears, I joined his former management company (Shimon FullersXIX Entertainment) because I was strongly inspired by his post-football path.
Always busy
Strangely, many people who follow Beckham on social media may not know that he was a football player, playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid, PSG, AC Milan, LA Galaxy and 115 times for England. Spanish journalist Roberto Palomar once compared Beckham to having a special ankle - helping him get the ball to any position.
Those who have worked with Beckham have clearly seen: The US has given him more confidence when speaking in public, unlike the previous shyness. But in essence, Beckham in his 50s is still an unusual former player - he is upper class, appears in the royal family, plays the stars, appears in Super Bowl commercials and is always busy.
Today in Los Angeles (USA) took a photo and saw his wife Victoria having dinner tomorrow in Paris (France). He was a regular presence at Inter Miami - from his shirt choosing to his national team - and then appeared in the show "Beckham & Friends" commenting on the Champions League with famous friends. Another time, I saw him doing charity work with UNICEF.
Gary Neville - a close friend and former teammate at MU, once described Beckham with the slogan: "Attack on the new day" - waking up at 5am to do as much as possible. Beckham shared: I like to be busy. I grew up in a working-class family in East London. My parents work very hard. My father still works until he is 71, 72 years old".
Human values
Beckham's close friend said he showed no signs of slowing down. Along with the talented team by his side, Beckham is always determined to develop his personal brand. But more importantly: despite his glory, Beckham has never forgotten anything that is really important.
For example, when hearing that Kath Phipps - Man United's long-time host - was about to pass away, Beckham immediately changed his plan, changed direction from taking a flight to London (UK) to driving to Manchester himself, sitting next to her bed for many hours, holding hands and recalling memories at the club. Phipps, 85, died a few days later, and her colleagues spoke of human contact as a miracle drug.
On Instagram, Beckham recently posted a photo of himself picking radishes in his garden. Touching the soil is good for the spirit, he wrote. Beckham has twice as many followers as Shaquille O'Neal and 6 times as Tom Brady. Mohamed Salah is the nearest Premier League player in terms of popularity, but also has nearly 65 million followers.
Very few players maintain cultural appeal even after retirement like Beckham, Dan Haddad (octagon Company) commented, C Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi are of a different level, but no one has maintained their appeal for as long after retirement as Beckham.
The impact
In such a context, perhaps this is also the right time to consider Beckham's influence in the US and how he kept his promise to MLS member Don Garber about developing the sport. That promise in 2007, when he joined LA Galaxy, Beckham became the face of MLS and was given the responsibility, according to Los Angeles Times writer Bill Plaschke at that time, not to win, but to " give football a last chance to develop".
At that time, MLS only had 13 teams, an average of 16,770 spectators/match. Beckham is known as the "Know Ad Campaign". Becks' new audience soon understood why he was nicknamed "Goldenballs". MLS's development is clear: There are currently 30 teams, an average of 23,234 spectators/match last season. And Messi came thanks to Beckham's project.
Tata Martino - former coach of Inter Miami - recalled: "In the first month I came to the club, David did not miss a single training session or match. He is always with the team.
The most meaningful gift
Beckham's mark on American football could be his greatest legacy. But that did not exempt him from controversy: He was criticized for being the 2022 World Cup ambassador in Qatar. However, it is not surprising that there have been recent rumors that Beckham could be knighted - something he has long craved.
In 2003, Beckham received an OBE. But in 2013, he was dismissed from the knighthood. His email was hacked in 2017 - from a company involved with his then-representative, Simon oliveira, showing that he was very angry with the title board and said he was not interested in revoking the title.
And now, there is news that he can finally achieve his dream. Last December, Beckham and his wife were invited to attend a party with King Charles and Queen Camilla in Buckingham - during the visit of the King of Qatar. Beckham is said to be related to King Charles because of his passion for beekeeping and honey. He is also close to Prince William and Harry, who stood for 12 hours to pay their respects to the Queen in Westminster.
And being named a knight could be the birthday gift that Sir Goldenballs want the most.
