Lost opportunity

As the news has become official that David Beckham will leave Real Madrid to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS, and take what could potentially become one of the largest contracts in sports history once endorsements are factored in, one cannot help but feel that this is the beginning of Beckham's slide into football obscurity.

While the U.S. sports media will be interested for a few weeks in watching Beckham play the beautiful game, largely to grab a few quotes and see if he can't score a trademark free kick on debut for the cameras, he could well be known best for competing with Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Angelina Jolie for gossip column inches rather than for contesting titles as a leading midfielder in world football.

Did the English Premier League's failed bid to bring Becks home represent the last chance to see him playing his best football in a place where it will be duly appreciated? Having signed a five-year deal in LA, Beckham will likely never be seen in the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, or even in English colours again.

The glitz of his arrival in Los Angeles will be little more than his christening as a fully-fledged off-field circus act, with Posh & Becks becoming the latest talk of Tinsel Town, as photographers and beat writers wonder where they’ll live, who they’ll be seen with, what parties they’ll attend. This is of course dependant on whether there isn't a more interesting story coming out of Hollywood or out of one of America's more established pro sports. Witness the fact that ESPN feels it necessary to poll its online readers about whether or not they will even watch MLS play with Beckham in town.

At least in England, the tabloid coverage of Beckham was occasionally for the sports pages. Opinion about his place in the game’s history or in rankings of the best players might be somewhat divided, but at least his talent and status as one of the finest exponents of the free kick, corners and crosses are recognised. Had Becks been dealt to West Ham, Newcastle, Arsenal or whichever team was willing to build around him for a few seasons, he could have possibly returned to stardom or led a team into title contention, and retired with dignity in a few years time having been given one last opportunity to compete at the highest level in his sport. And the Royal Family wouldn’t have complained if he happened to draw a few of the press away from Kate Middleton in the process.