David Beckham in the Manchester United jersey, November 1998 © Mary Evans/imago images
Already closed today Islands in the Stream danced? In any case, many people are currently moving through kitchens and living rooms to the rhythm of David and Victoria Beckham. Inspired by the successful Netflix documentary that celebrates the two of them, life and football. And by the way, it addresses a sporting question that many couples probably ask themselves while watching on the sofa: How good was David Beckham really as a footballer?
Also the hosts of He can kick, the football podcast from ZEIT ONLINE, addresses this question. That’s why for the first time there is a Classic episode in which no current footballer is discussed, but rather someone who has not been active for a while. Hardly anyone deserves this as much as Beckham. Because: “Beckham advanced the sport. He was a football revolutionary,” says Oliver Fritsch. “He brought a new precision and technique to the game.”
Beckham had and perhaps still has the reputation of being more the product of good marketers than a truly exceptional footballer. Both hosts strongly disagree with this. “His celebrity status distracts from what he was capable of in terms of football,” says Christian Spiller. Oliver Fritsch agrees. “Anyone who says otherwise has fallen victim to criticism of capitalism.”
The two explain why Beckham’s right foot was possibly the best in world football. They think they know how to take corners, crosses and free kicks like him and explain why it is wrong to reduce him to these qualities alone.
Also in the podcast: the greatest possible dispute among the top 5 best free kick takers. Why everyone needs a Gary Neville. And Oli Fritsch’s favorite Spice Girls songs.
Write us! We accept criticism of the show and suggestions for Mister X at [email protected]. “He can kick” is the football podcast from ZEIT ONLINE. It appears every two weeks and is dedicated to the best footballers of our time. We talk less about tactics and more about what really matters in football: the individuality of the players. You can find all episodes of the podcast here, all Powercard ratings here.
Scenes and texts we talked about in the episode:
Already closed today Islands in the Stream danced? In any case, many people are currently moving through kitchens and living rooms to the rhythm of David and Victoria Beckham. Inspired by the successful Netflix documentary that celebrates the two of them, life and football. And by the way, it addresses a sporting question that many couples probably ask themselves while watching on the sofa: How good was David Beckham really as a footballer?
Also the hosts of He can kick, the football podcast from ZEIT ONLINE, addresses this question. That’s why for the first time there is a Classic episode in which no current footballer is discussed, but rather someone who has not been active for a while. Hardly anyone deserves this as much as Beckham. Because: “Beckham advanced the sport. He was a football revolutionary,” says Oliver Fritsch. “He brought a new precision and technique to the game.”
