Brand Beckham still strong
Mr Money bags The ever-popular David Beckham
David Beckham continues to confound football pundits. Many a farewell has been written to force him out of the game. When his time at Real Madrid ended, many believed that there wouldn’t be takers for his services. But LA Galaxy offered him a five-year stay with a hefty pay packet across the Atlantic.
After doing his bit to make ‘soccer’ as popular in the US as it is elsewhere, Beckham deliberated his options. This was it, said his detractors. According to them, end was nigh for the former Manchester United player. They had a point. Which sensible club would gamble on a pricey 37-year-old? PSG, French league’s money bags, said they would.
The much-travelled Englishman’s latest port of call is just across the Channel. Beckham is now the best hope to mend to the ever tenuous Anglo-French relationship if one goes by the number of PSG fans who turned out to welcome him.
Beckham’s fame is disproportionate to his talent. Even his staunchest fan would admit it. Beckham can never enrapture anyone with his skills on the football field. He is no Messi by any stretch of imagination. In marketability, however, Beckham is in a different league. Brand Beckham shows no sign of losing its sheen even in the evening of his playing career.
The new man in town is expected to sell loads of jerseys bearing his name. A five-month contract is rare in top-flight football, but the French club seem to have gone for the short-term arrangement with a long-term plan. They have, after all, a marketing marvel on their roster.
Beckham’s arr-ival has created a buzz in Paris. Beckham’s presence has come as a big boost for the French league, which is a poor cousin of the EPL and La Liga.
Beckham is certain to make the usually dour Ligue 1 spicy.
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