Beckham begins with fairytale ending in Paris (video)
The headline “Paris smiles with Beckham” graced the front page of Le Parisien newspaper today as David Beckham began a new chapter in his illustrious career by pulling on the navy blue jersey of Paris St Germain on Sunday evening.
Beckham made a small but significant impact in a high pressure debut for PSG as they faced fellow Ligue 1 challengers and bitterest rivals Marseille.
After displaying initial signs of nervousness and some uncharacteristically wayward passes, Beckham played a key role in the build up to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s goal – the goal that clinched a 2-0 victory for PSG.
With his right foot, Beckham flicked a through-ball over Marseille’s backline to play in team-mate Jeremy Menez. In turn Menez was able to square the ball across goal for Ligue 1’s top goalscorer Ibrahimovic to add to his impressive season tally.
Beckham’s introduction as a substitute in the 75th minute was met by a rapturous response by the Paris St Germain supporters. It appears already that fans of Le Rouges et Blues are set to take Beckham to their hearts.
Beckham arrived at the Stade de Princes to both a flurry of snow and a flurry of flash photography. At the age of 37, the former England captain is certainly still big news and a major coup for both Paris St Germain and French football in general.
Critics have claimed that PSG’s signing of Beckham is merely a PR stunt, aimed to boost the profile of the Qatari-backed club in it’s attempts to mingle with Europe’s elite. However, after previously dismissing the club’s interest in the player, coach Carlo Ancelotti believes that Beckham can play a fundamental role in helping PSG achieve their first Ligue 1 title since 1994.
Doubts had been cast over the fitness levels of Beckham upon his transfer to Paris. Last summer, Stuart Pearce excluded Beckham from Team GB believing that the 37 year-old was perhaps unable to fulfil the physical requirements on such a highly competitive stage, this in spite of Pearce’s inclusion of 38 year-old former Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs.
Giggs has however spent his last 5 years at the peak of the game in the English Premier League, whereas Beckham has spent the majority of this time playing for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, a league deemed to be far inferior both in terms of quality and physical demands.
Yet Beckham had only had little over a week’s training with his PSG team-mates before he was thrust into the limelight in French football’s most competitive match, demonstrating Carlo Ancelotti’s faith in Beckham’s fitness levels and his belief that the superstar can be instrumental in PSG’s title push this season.
Beckham certainly did not look out of place during his 15 minute appearance in PSG’s victory and he has already stated his eagerness to earn a place in the starting eleven at the Parc de Princes on a regular basis.
It would be a surprise to nobody should Beckham once more lift another league title trophy at the end of the season in front of a new found following of adorning supporters.
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