Rob Shepherd on the day he discussed pop music with David Beckham – and why he reckons Goldenballs has zero chance of winning the FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Whatever you might think of David Beckham’s recent outburst when admitting he deliberately got booked against Wales to clear his yellow card slate it was conclusive proof of one thing: how seriously he takes publicity.
Irked at a suggestion he didn’t possess the brains to get a suspension out of the way once he realised he was injured, he got his agent to call a reporter and insist he’s more savvy than he gets credit for. In many ways that is true…. despite the bollocking he got from Eriksson, the FA decided against disciplinary action for bringing the game into disrepute.
Part of the commercial success of Becks Inc is how he, his advisors and oh, not forgetting whatsherface, manipulate the media. Over the years they’ve proved masters of the PR stunt to the point where their life has become a perpetual photo shoot.
They didn’t even seem too perturbed when after checking out of his hotel at the end of the 2002 World Cup finals it emerged that besotted Japanese school girls were happy being snapped paying homage to David’s en-suite throne. At the time, you see, the lucrative Far East sponsorship market needed to be cracked, while Victoria was desperate for any publicity to boost her flagging pop career. As a result they could stomach toilet humour if it was good for the profile.
Things have changed a bit after they suffered the flip side of living life through the lens, especially when it came to a certain Ms Loos efforts to the flush a marriage made in media heaven down the pan. Perhaps what appalled them most about the sordid saga was their inability to keep that kiss-and-tell story quiet. Until recently, one of the skills of the Beckham family business had been the ability to pull publishers’ strings and spike negative stories.
I discovered as much three years ago at FIFA’s World Player of the Year gala award. Dispatched to cover the event in Zurich, there was much talk of Beckham being crowned as ‘best player on the planet’. As it turned out, Luis Figo won and Beckham came second, which didn’t amuse Posh, who’d flown out in the belief reflected glory could boost her attempts to make it as a solo pop artist.
Control freakery
The following day I wrote: ‘So, just like his missus, David Beckham can’t quite make it to number one in his own right.’ It was meant to be sardonic but, summoned to the editor’s office the next day, I was told it was snidey and better watch my step when it came to writing about the Beckhams. Like me, the editor had received a threatening phone call from someone at the Beckham’s PR machine pointing out how important their front magazine covers were to the publisher.
Three months later, at the end of an England press conference, Beckham took the opportunity to take me to task. ‘Rob, I didn’t like what you wrote about the World Player of the Year award. I don’t mind you criticising the way I play but don’t involve my wife. Besides, what do you know about the pop industry?’ said Beckham.
I wasn’t prepared for the jab but blurted out: ‘Not an awful lot to be fair – although my half sister did make it to number one as the lead singer of The Buggles.’ Video Killed the Radio Star was the song and the riposte caused merriment among the gallery. Even Becks saw the funny side.
As for David, I’m not so sure he’ll ever win the coveted prize of World Player, or the rival European Footballer of the Year award. He was and indeed remains the most famous footballer in the world ever, but he’s never been the best.
He’s on the 35-strong list for this year’s prize, but Skybet’s price of 80/1 to win shows his chances. The frontrunner of England’s five representatives is Wayne Rooney at 7/1, who is third favourite behind Thierry Henry at 5/4 and Ronaldinho at 5/2. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are being quoted at 66/1, while Michael Owen, like Beckham, is 80/1.
No doubt Rooney was one of the stars of the European Championship, but in truth his displays were a fleeting glimpse of his potential. The prize, though, can be a bit of a lottery. The national team managers from around the globe often seem to simply go for the glamorous names. One year, Marco Van Basten was nominated by a national manager three seasons after his retirement.
In that respect it seems ridiculous that Portugal and Chelsea centre-back Ricardo Carvalho isn’t even a candidate after being voted best defender at Euro 2004 and aiding FC Porto to Champions League glory last May. From that Porto side you can also back the artistic Deco, now at Barcelona, at 12/1.
For me, though, there can be only one winner. Week in, week out over the past year Thierry Henry’s been the most thrilling player to watch, and despite France’s failure at Euro 2004 his tally of 30 goals in Arsenal’s record-breaking unbeaten Premiership season deserves the ultimate individual accolade.
