++ [ originally posted by mikhail ] ++
Beckham is a hard-working, talented player I like and admire, though not to the extent his fans would like. Beckham is a decent, simple person I find difficult to dislike. Beckham is a media-creation/celebrity I dispise.
Basically, he's been built up and cast down by the British media at will. After France 98, Beckham was England's scapegoat, booed at away venues, made out to be a petulent little twat. Phil Neville took on that role for Euro 2000, but I do remember Beckham, walking off after a match (possibly Romania, maybe Germany in the WC qualifiers), giving the finger to the crowd. Why? Some of them had been shouting things at him that no guy should have to hear. About his wife, his kids. Threats, slurs, just plain abuse. He's a national hat figure.
Then, when Shearer, the media's beloved "England Captain", a new hero had to emege for the papers to drool over. Beckham was given the captaincy, and he hauled England to the WC by sheer sweat and blood. Against Greece, he ran his legs off, covering the whole midfield, as Scholes, Gerrard and Barmby(?) went missing. He even got the fairytale ending of scoring the necessary goal in the dying minutes of the game.
So Beckham, this media icon, emerges as the greatest footballer on the planet (which anyone with even a little footballing knowledge would dispute). Even the England fans suddenly found a great well of respect for him, their "England Captain".
How can you like the paper god? But at the same time, what's to dislike in the guy himself?