Manchester United legend David Beckham has found his name atop of the list of ‘Top 10 Most Overrated Athletes of All Time’. Beckham is considered as one of the most influential player of the sport, with his name itself being iconic enough in the world of football. He spent illustrious years around clubs such as Man United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, PSG and then took the MLS by storm after joining LA Galaxy.
However, David Beckham now finds himself on an unusual list of the most overrated athletes of all time. Starting his career with Manchester United, the midfielder won a stunning six Premier League titles with the club, amongst four other trophies. Beckham then went on to play for the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan, La Galaxy and PSG before hanging his boots in 2013.
David Beckham voted as the most overrate athlete
David Beckham became the first cult figure in football, who was know for his flair both on and off the pitch. The stylist attacker enjoyed a massive successful spell with United, after Sir Alex Ferguson scouted and signed him from the Tottenham academy. Beckham went on to score 85 goals and record 109 assists in 388 appearances for the red Devils. He also helped them to six league titles, a Champions League, 2 FA Cups and one Intercontinental Cup, also winning the UEFA Best Player in Europe in 1999.
However, after a reported fallout with Sir Alex Ferguson, over his desire to move to Real Madrid and be a part of the ‘Los Galacticos’, his wish was finally granted in the summer of 2003. Beckham joined Real, which is rather deemed as the start of his downfall. He spent four years at the Santiago Bernabeu, managing a mere 20 goals and 52 assists in 159 games. Both the club and the player sensed the failure of the move, as the England international was then moved on to MLS on a free transfer, joining LA Galaxy.
A couple of years later, after he had popularised the sport in America, Beckham returned to Europe with AC Milan, on a six-month loan deal. He made 33 appearances there, scoring 2 goals and providing 9 assists. Back with LA Galaxy for another six months, he then finally left him in January 2013, to join PSG until the end of the season. It were his last day as a professional footballer there, featuring 14 times and collecting 2 assists.
Since his retirement in the summer of 2013, David Beckham has been indulged in many commercial activities, while also launching his own football club in the USA, Inter Miami CF in 2018, which started competing in the MLS from the 2020 season. However, his image seems to have taken a dent after being named as the most overrated athlete of all time. In the voting conducted by TheTopTens, David Beckham was voted as the most overrated athlete, ahead of the likes of basketball player LeBron James and female Golf star Michelle Wie West. Some voters voiced their opinion over voting Beckham, as one explained:
“His goal/game ratio for England is appalling, Argentina was the only big team he scored against with a lucky penalty. Lucky because he missed his next three, against Turkey in 2004 Euro Qualifying, then France/Portugal in the Finals. Real Madrid’s worst period for years happened after he joined them. They didn’t qualify for the Champions League knockout stage whilst he was there. He only got a La Liga medal because Reyes scored a lot of goals whilst he didn’t play. Then went to PSG because Leonardo must have been in love with him, even the French fans voiced their displeasure.”
The list further surprises as even the late Pele too is named at fifth position, despite winning three World Cups, the most by any footballer. Pele recently passed away after battling cancer for years. The highest paid athlete of all time, Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo too made the top ten at tenth position, while the likes of retired American professional basketball player Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal at third, former American football quarterback Elisha Nelson “Eli” Manning at fourth.