http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/frank_deford/news/2003/04/30/viewpoint/ Am I the only one getting tired of hearing the English (speaking) press talk up Beckham and the most famous athlete on the most famous and best team in the world - and the best there has ever been at the art of the free kick? I would say that at any one time, there are 2-3 Brazilian players that rival his skill. Granted, they don't have some of the all around game he might have or certainly play in such high profile matches as often. But Rivaldo and Ronaldinho have scored many amazing goals on a consistent basis from the spot. They have never generally relied on these skills as a method to win the game, as it appears Beckham fans do. Not that Brasil truly needs any more press, and some fanfare for the quality of players of other nationalities is a good thing. But they write like he invented the art instead of just being a part of a perfect marketing vehicle. I'm not trying to take away from his talent - he may be the current best in the world these last 2 years - but I'd put several players up against him. To me the dead ball specialists have long been the latinos. The average quality of the kicks in the Brasileiro or Clausura far surpass the average chances in the EPL. You have players that are virtually unknown turning in fantastic shots on a weekly basis - just never against Real Madrid in the CL. I will agree to the articles that there has never been a player that has been as famous for doing just one thing. But I think it's a little sad to forget the true pioneers and innovators like Didi, that didn't have the marketing and broadcasting powers that be, annoint him as 'the greatest free-kick specialist of all time'. I guess Bend it like a Banana just doesn't have the same ring to it. http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Park/8885/Didi.htm
Responding to myself here.... http://www.observer.co.uk/Print/0,3858,4414798,00.html Good article by Rivelino.
Zico was just as good as Beckham on freekicks and to boot Zico was a MUCH better overall player. Zico is in a class of his own, just below Pele.
While I agree on the part related to the "inventors" (the 'folha seca' is old as hell) I give Beckham the edge in what you rightfully said: "there has never been a player that has been as famous for doing just one thing" actually he defies the laws of physics with his comba (I've read an interesting article by a famous expert but I just cant find it) and he just scores incredible goals in high profile matches as you point out, he deserves the applauses but not that much
Give Beckham his due, he's very good at it, but he's not even the best at it today. Marcelinho Carioca has much more variety to his frees, and his shots are much more unpredictable for goalies. Van Hodjoiink (excuse the spelling) and Marcos Assuncao are also more dangerous from frees. To win a game, I'd rather have one of those three with the shot. There are so many from the past you can't count: Zico as already posted, Platini, Eder, Nelinho, Bonhoff......Can't blame Becks for all the attention he gets, but it is annoying.
Along those lines... The April 28, 2003 Soccer America has a short piece about the way that the Players Development Academy (PDA) in NJ names its youth teams. They name their teams after famous players - e.g., U-13 PDA Socrates, U-14 PDA Viera, U-15 PDA Cantona, U-18 PDA Platini, etc. The U-10 PDA Pele was renamed the U-10 PDA Beckham, apparently because "coach Martyn Rushmore, a big Manchester United fan, convinced [coaching director] McKeown that Beckham was a player that the U-10s could identify with." It's interesting that they changed from Pele to Beckham, but I suppose they have something of a point. Becks and ManU are on TV from time to time (FSW, most Fox Sports Nets, YES, etc.), whereas Pele isn't. Oh well.
I don't think anyone, not even the most hard core Man U supporter, would argue that Beckham is the best player in the world. However, you can't argue that he is the most famous player on the most famous club in the world.
Well, it was only in 1998 that Ronaldo was the king of the football world. Yes, Ronaldo dropped off the radar screen for 2000-2002, but he came back with a vengence. You can't even begin to compare the publicity Ronaldo gets to Beckham - outside of England and the USA. You telling me that Beckham's performance in Japan/Korea helped make him more famous than Ronaldo's?? Whatever the truth, I guess it reminds me of the USA and our 'world champions' mentality. Just because Michael Jordan is the most famous athlete in our country, doesn't automatically make him the most famous athlete on the planet - and that gets tossed around a lot. I just think the British papers writing about him every single day and made people believe that the rest of the world does also...
Ronaldo vs Beckham (RE: the most famous athlete on the planet) is a tough decision, marketing work fabulous for both of them!
Beckham isn't even close to being one of the best players in the game. However, he is the best in the world at taking free kicks. In terms of popularity. Ronaldho is more popular in Latin America. In Africa its close. In Asia, US, Australia and India Beckam is more popular.
Guess I can respond to both posts at once. I would argue that right now, because of its marketing might, ManUre is the most famous club in the world. Look at it this way. Most people who recognize Real Madrid will most likely recognize ManUre. However, you look at South East Asia, especiallyy where there is a strong British influence, ManUre is the beginning and end of soccer. Real Madrid, as rich and successful as they are, trails behind Manure in worldwide appeal. So no, the performance at the world cup had nothing to do with Ronaldo's or Beckham's fame. Ronaldo's fame hasn't diminished at all - it's just that being with ManUre (and to some extent, England) helped Beckham reach a winder audience.
Who can forget Roberto Carlos' magics? A friendly against France in 1996 where he blasted one that bent right after the wall. The 'keeper didn't even move. I haven't followed Real lately, but it doesn't seem like he can quite make those anymore. Chilavert and Sao Paulo's Rogerio Ceni are two keepers that distinguish themselves by being excellent free kickers. I can't remember in any instance that it backfired and they got scored on.
Didn't Ceni get scored on by Roger of Flu two years or so ago, on the re-start precisely after having scored on a free? I'm almost positive. Am I not going to get an 'amen' on Marcelinho Carioca scoring the most spectacular free-kicks on a consitent basis? Do you guys remember one he had in Brasileiro '99 when he shot from 30 out, starting from left side of field, the ball kept bencing right, on a rope, into the far upper-90! He had another ridiculous one this season. Miljatovic (spelling) of Lazio is the other guy who went through a three year spell where every kick, from any distance and position, was venemous.
Amen on Marcelinho. He was the king in the mid 90s. I can't remember how many tens of goals I saw him make from a free kick right from the 18-yd. box line.
Sinisa Mihjailovic, he used to be a complete threat infront of goal! Ohh and Chilavert used to score even since the midfield line!
Oh cut me a break Mathis and also Etcheverry of a few years ago, just as dangerous on the Free as Becks.