Arise, Sir David

Rather than looking at the English Premier League (Battle for fourth looking toight as a toiger, Wigan right to feel aggrieved) or the A-League (Brisbane a league apart) the weekend round-up this time is going to a new continent, with our first scheduled stop at Los Angeles’ Home Depot Center.

This was the fitting scene for the LA Galaxy’s 1-0 victory over Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup Final, to clinch their first championship since 2005. Of course, in the meantime they have employed a certain English midfielder, and we’re not talking former Port Vale ‘ace’ Chris Birchall. For one thing, Birchall plays for Trinidad and Tobago, but you already knew that, I mean it's obvious, he just looks so Trinidadian. No, of course the focus of attention, as always, fell on David Beckham, who may well have made his final competitive appearance for the Galaxy since his much heralded marquee move in 2007.

I am very pleased that Galaxy got the win, because of the effect it has on Beckham’s CV. I’ll explain. With the passage of time, the number of trophies that a player accrues becomes the most tangible hallmark of their quality. Perhaps this will become less prevalent nowadays, as with the blanket coverage and YouTube fuelled easy access to footage it is easy to get some idea of what a player is like and what they can do. Consider it. If you're a similar age to me, chances are you'll have seen relatively very little of the England class of 66, or Pele, or Maradona outside of World Cups – sure I’ve watched hours of grainy archive footage of all the greats, but it is always from the World Cup. I’ve no doubt all of history’s great players have done amazing things in their bread and butter league matches, but I haven’t seen it – Messi scores a screamer in the first round of the Copa del Rey and usually you’ll witness it before 24 hours has passed. In days of yore, this coverage simply didn't exist or has since been lost.

Even with the prevalence nowadays of available highlights, I still maintain that when history looks back at a player, the clearest indicator of their status is by looking at the trophies they have won. This argument may fall down when you consider the makeweights in great teams (Hi, David May) but I’m talking more about when you’re telling your kids about this or that great player from a bygone age, they might be more impressed to see what they have won. Example: I have never seen Alfredo Di Stefano play, but as the main man in a Real Madrid side that dominated Europe for years, I can happily understand that he must have been something special. My Dad eulogises over some of the Liverpool players of the 70s, and with their trophy haul it becomes easier to appreciate that he may be on to something.

David Beckham, in my opinion, deserves to be remembered amongst the pantheon of greats.

He has probably never at any stage in his career been a genuine contender for outright best player in the world. Cantona, Baggio, Bergkamp, Zidane, Ronaldo (real and fake), Henry, Ronaldinho, Messi – all undoubtedly ahead of him. However I’d happily argue that not one of them, indeed no player I’ve ever seen, could deliver a ball like Beckham. There’s no such film as Bend it Like Eric (novelty adult titles not withstanding (‘bend it up eric’, ‘bend it like erection’, ‘bend over like eric’ there’s potential there). There is a fantastic video on YouTube that showcases a collection of his best assists. This is the key to his game, being able to put the ball exactly where the striker would want it, in a way that renders the defence helpless. The pace, trajectory and precision of a Beckham cross is rarely matched by any player around, and certainly not on a consistent basis for over 15 years like D-Beck has done. Even on Pro Evo a Beckham corner was more dangerous than any other.

My view is biased as a supporter of the England team for which he has provided so much drama over the years, I’ll acknowledge that. But you only need to consider the view from the absolute hall of fame that is Beckham’s former team-mate’s over his career. He has been in the same team as some of the finest players ever to play the game, and almost never has he been criticised. A hugely popular figure amongst his fellow professionals, which with his status, profile and paycheck is surely not an easy thing to achieve. Leaving the personal side out of things before this turns into too much of a bromance novel (he is clearly a great bloke though) the appreciation from his teammates is due to the danger that he brings to a team – Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored 25 goals in his first season at Real, 19 of which were assisted by Beckham (thanks to Will Cullen for that stat). As a striker, knowing that you can rely on such quality service makes your job that much easier, and damn straight you’re going to like the guy who continues to put goals on a plate for you!

England were spoilt for years with his service from set pieces, and we will miss him more as the years go on. Downing and Adam Johnson are both capable of the sublime in temrs of corssing a ball, but not in the same metronomic fashion as our hero. Furthermore his workrate and dedication to the cause have been impossible to question, which again is something that you will always appreciate and respect from your teammates.

The trophy that looks likely to mark Beckham’s swansong as an LA Galaxy player then is in my mind a fitting tribute to a truly great player. It was fantastic that he won La Liga as his departing act with Real Madrid, having won the fans, manager and club over with his qualities over his time there. To do the same with Galaxy maintains his record of winning something with every club he's been at, loan deals not withstanding (but by Christ he came close with Preston...).

What lies in store next for David is unclear. I’d like to see him go to Paris Saint Germain in January, keep up the winning tradition by topping Ligue 1 and then go out on the highest of highs, a Gold Medal with Team GB.

The Galactico's Galaxy adventure has now probably reached it's final scene, with the Hollywood ending that always seemed likely. Maybe though there’s just one more final scene to come from the David Beckham story. Whatever happens, I know that he will be a player I tell my kids about - and his trophy haul and YouTube can complete the tale.