How GOOD Was David Beckham ACTUALLY? 

Becks could find my dad with a pass and he's been missing over 20years

Beckham is one of those rare athletes who, because he became such a massive cultural icon, managed to be overrated and underrated at the same time.

From being the Golden Boy, to the most hated, to the saviour of a nation. One of the greatest hero journeys in all of football.

Anyone who grew up watching Becks knows he’s not overrated. I’m Greek and that free kick that knocked Greece out of the World Cup was pure class.

Zidane: “ his hair”. Damn i felt that shit

In the crossing department, he's 1000 out of 100.

Becks was one of the most gifted and hardest working players I think I've ever seen. His dedication was second to no one. He didn't have the dribbling skills of Pele or Maradona, but they didn't have the consistently mesmerising passing skills either, and Beckhams ability to nullify the opposition was just as legendary as any else. Fame didn't affect his work rate like many others before or after. Becks also massively succeeded in every country he played in, which is very rare too. Was he the best ever? Hell no! Was he one of the best of all time? In my opinion, he must be included in that illustrious group of players. He was rare and ridiculously underappreciated.

Beckham was incredible in his prime. People forget, you can take all the free kicks out of his career and he was still a world class midfielder. He could pass, had vision, had a great touch, had a little bit of dribbling skill, a high work rate, a surprising defensive presence and could pop up with goals at important moments. He was excellent. He just wasn’t equal to his star power which was gigantic. There was a time when he was the biggest superstar world football had ever seen and he was not the best player in the world during that period, he was just one of the many world class players in a very strong era. But you marry a spicegirl and look like the lead in a boyband, people want you on their screens.

Football fans tend to have short memories, and sadly these days Becks tends to get overlooked largely because of the level of fame he achieved. People often say he was a "one trick pony", who was only good at crossing and free kicks (and even if that were true, *what* a 'trick' it was!), but his game wasn't just about that. Yes, his free kicks and crossing ability was second to none, but the guy had some serious skill elsewhere too!. He had great ball control and a fantastic first touch, his work rate was off the charts, he was adaptable (switching from a pacey winger to a more central position later in his career as his pace dropped off) and his vision was possibly the best the game has ever witnessed! His ability to drop a ball at someone's feet from 60 yards away was absolutely outrageous! He could cut defences open with ease. Me and my friends used to refer to his crossing as "Hollywood Balls", because they were the sort of ridiculous pass you'd only ever see in an unrealistic Hollywood movie! Yet he was doing them in real life, game after game after game!! He was also incredibly dependable too. Becks ALWAYS stepped up in the biggest of games when his team needed him the most. He is, without doubt, one of the best players England has ever produced. I doubt we'll ever see someone like him again.

He was the most underrated footballer because of his charming outlook. After so many years, we still bend it like Beckham.

Not only is he an awesome player who is so underrated but he is also the guy who single handedly changed the image and financial aspect of football forever.

No one can do corner kicks like Beckham. Every time they were precise target's. Great player

Good video, but Beckham didn't decline at least until 2007, in 2005-06 season Beckham made 17 assists and was also named Real Madrid's Player of the Season, the same season.

His workrate was out of this world, he covered more ground than any other player. His partnership down the right with Neville was phenomenal. For me Beckham playing career was underated to his personal career

I feel Beckhamm was the first true soccer superstar. He turned himself into a brand, arguably more famous then the sport itself. Even though he has no Balon De'Or to his name, he's a goat in his own right.

The thing people forget was that he worked liked a dog. Tireless... great defensively and had a great engine - infectious drive and energy! A great role model!

I know a guy who was in the youth squad at United who never made it to the first team tell me that Beckham was always the first one on the pitch for training, and the very last one off. Good work ethic is what builds careers.

Beckhams voice at 11 years old was deeper than when he was in his 20s!

As a Manchester United fan, im honoured that i got to witness greatness growing up! Beckham was one of the greatest players to have never won the ballon d'or.. That freekick against greece in 2001, even 20 years later still gives me goosebumps! But the 1999 Champions league final will always be my favourite!

Beckham was a brilliant player he's one of the names that won't be forgotten

Beckham didn't decline since 2004. He simply changed positions from SMF to CMF or DMF and these are positions where it's easier to get cards. It must also be said that Real Madrid played with Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo and Raul and Beckham was one of the few who defended and often had to close on the position errors of others. 13:05 "a lot of red cards" (?). 6 red cards in 517 league appearances aren't many cards for a midfielder. Clearly, clearly the best right foot ever in kicking the ball. Whoever criticizes Beckham as a footballer, I don't think has a clue what football is.

Every player is unique in their own right. David Beckham is legendary for his acurate crosses.His foot has its own radar to find the player...

Beckham was a playmaker. His passing, dribbling and vision for this reason was some of the best football has ever seen. However, when he took a shot he also possessed the ability to score. One of the best of his generation. 👌🏼👍🏼

Beckham was a great player one of our most important players during our most successful period

Beckham's ability to bend the ball and pick out players from long range was very special. Even Madrid players, World class players, were in awe. I remember R.Carlos saying something like he would leave the free kicks to Beckham just to watch him bend it in.

Becks was a terrific player and I loved him. He wasn't fast, he didn't have magical touch/ball skills and he wasn't box-to-box, but as an intelligent, direct and instinctive attacking midfielder he was absolutely deadly. Everyone knows how good his crossing was, and how a free-kick for him was virtually a penalty kick. But his goals from open play were absolutely sensational too. He has a highlight reel a mile long. United (and England) legend.

Glad to hear all these comments. Brilliant attitude ethic and ability. Best crosser I ever saw. Liverpool fan.

He was world class. His passing his crossing of the ball. Freekicks. His workrate was second to none. Will never see a player like him again

If I needed a player to take a corner or a free kick in injury time, I'd want it to be David Beckham. If I needed a player to lead by example and give his all, I'd want David Beckham. He is woefully underappreciated by so many football fans. World class.

Beckham is the reason why i love manchester united when i was a kid, actually, he's the reason i love football tho.

I watched Beckham in a charity match a couple of years ago and his delivery is still the very best in the world.

Great video ! 630 am where I live and I’m pumped for the day !! I love hearing Phil and Ray Hudson announcing the games way back then! Ray Hudson needs his own video alone.

He was the best of his generation. Put the sponsorships aside, the guy set up a football academy paying for the staff trainers venue all out of his own pocket. He is a genuine, kind hearted man and one of the greatest of all time. Of all the famous footballers you’ll hear about, not one of them has done so much or given so much away for the benefit of others.

How you gonna talk about Beckham's whole career and not mention David Beckham Vs. Greece?

His right foot was One of the best weapons of the 90s. Thankyou for 99 and Thankyou for that greece goal 🥅 Take a bow David Beckham

This man was simply great. what a player, Legendary!

12:30 - "This is not just a dream, it's a wet dream!" Don't think you'll hear commentators say that nowadays 😂😂😂

Every coach - and he had the best - ended up admiring and playing him even if they didn’t to start with. If you can impress Alex Ferguson, Fabio Capello, and Carlo Ancelotti I’d say you’re pretty fucking special.

98/99 was the first time I lost my voice 2 times in one year. What a year that was. Always said Scholes was underrated, he'd be quiet all match then his one touch goals were outstanding.

Can't beat his striking and precision

I’m an Arsenal Fan. Beckham was no doubt one in a generation talent. Hardworking. Humble. Talented.

There is literally a movie called Bend it like Beckham. This guy is a legend for sure!

With the passage of time, David Beckham's signature free-kicks might have faded a bit and gathered some dust in the shadows of other world events. But thanks to your well-researched and superbly put-together documentary, the memory of my hero's golden era lives on. Bravo!

He worked hard. And what he lacked in Messi/Ronaldo talent - he made up for tenfold with effort and heart

Apart from the world class freekicks and passes/crosses I think he was a very clever player and read the game so well. What he lacked in pace or dribbling skills for example he made up in great decision making. Added he was very consistent, a hard worker and had a strong presence which made him a good leader. From a Liverpool fan.

Still one of the best wingers I've ever seen in my life...his precision with the ball was out of this world

Becks is a legend, times change so quickly in football people forget how good he was. I'm not a fan of him but dam he was good. His free kicks and assists were crazy but his passion to win puts him up there with greats because great players win you games.

I started watching Man United games in the 00s just cause I fangirled over becks' looks, I kept doing it for 4 years non-stop because of the glorious player he was. Nothing will compare to 2000-2002 becks, his passes were elegance and precision. It's so sad he's always seen as a celebrity and he's been so underrated as a player because of this. He's forever been humble of his immense talent and I feel he didn't deserve the hate he constantly received from big bully Ferguson, at times he should've been supported. Truly a legend

I'm an Arsenal Fan, and I can say wholeheartedly, "BECKS WAS LIT". A true world-class player. Wouldn't miss a gunners match, and certainly would always try to watch a Man Utd match because of him. Great, classy, brave, hardworking and just added that bit more glitz to a match, play-wise and presence-wise.

I saw him live in ‘97 at Anfield. He was imperious against us. His delivery from out wide is the best I’ve ever seen. He was definitely at his best with Man U as they had a perfect balance in midfield.

One of the best passers of a ball and free kick takers of any era

Whaaaaaaaatt a documentary this detailed and well crafted by a RU-vidr with 50k subs?????? you're even more underrated than beckham

David Beckham was the real deal and I’m so glad I got to watch him play. My favorite player when I was a kid.

When Beckham pass the ball to the striker, it's the ball who find the striker, even if the striker pit-guarded by 2 players. Miss those times. Great generation of United.

Commentator: "This is not just a dream, it's a wet dream" lol

He could put a ball on a tooth pick 50 yards away on the run , he was one on the best free kick taker ever , he’s defence was great and he played in the best teams in England ,Italy, Spain and USA . How good was he should you really ask ! He was brilliant.

He was an elite player everyone who watched him during his days at Man United knows it

all of the glamour and celebrity overshadowed how good he was and he was that good from a very early age. one of the finest examples of what devotion and practice produces

Its clear to me that you can't get enough of Beckham since he was and always be amazing to watch on and off the Pitch.

Thank you for this…it was wonderful!!! Appreciate all you do.

He won European Cups, many league titles and national cup competitions. He played alongside, and against, some of the best players in the history of the game.... and they all respected him. He captained his country for years. His work rate and passing ability were unmatched. Don't let the celebrity bullshit cloud your judgement....he was a truly phenomenal footballer and it was because he was in love with football. I've never seen a player who loved the game as much as Beckham.

A free kick specialist and had every pass known to man in his locker. Zidane and other legends speak very highly of him and his ability....enough said.

I cracked up when the commentator screamed his lungs out "this in not just a dream, it's A WET DREAM". @12' lmao

Outstanding. No one crossed or even crosses the ball today like Becks. And his free kicks were something else. He'd dominate in today's game too. Because most players can't cross the ball now. Set pieces, corners etc, mostly pants

His goal assists alone make him a legend quality guy on and off the football pitch!

His ball bending techniques where magical, finding the corner post at every crucial moment..... Amazing player, it was fun to watch Becks play,

Great video package! Really enjoyed it. Thank you for doing it.

Really enjoyed it. Will watch it again . Many thanks for the research , script, and production.

Giggs “It was a weird experience to see us local lads to see, you know, a cockney lad, knowing more about United than we did”. Giggsy - you were born in Cardiff...

Best crosser of the ball in football history.

Beckham 98/99 season was 10/10 he was always Decisive with every touch, his artistry and manipulation of a football was majestic and he always left his mark on the biggest stages when he left Utd his shoes took about half a decade to fill

Ive seen pretty much everything about United and Becks who's my fav. of all time. Thats some quality production thank you!

He is the reason I am a Manchester United & England fan. Beckham forever ❤❤❤

Im just happy that i was born early enough to witness his epic game play and free kicks live

I just Love David Beckham....the free kicks,the penalties,the assists,the dribbles....all outta the world...he is simply awesome ❤️❤️

Man,my favorite narrator ever is this guy,and my favorite channel is Boxing Legends TV where he also narrates. I was so happy to hear him speak on this channel too which made this short documentary that much better for me!

What I didnt realise until I actually saw him play live, was the shift he put in. I didn't realise he was such a grafter. He did not stop running up and down the pitch. Chasing every lost cause down and getting back to defend before sprinting back up to join the attack. I am not a Manchester United fan but I have a lot of respect for this man.

"THIS IS NOT JUST A DREAM, THIS IS A WET DREAM!"

This question always comes up. He was absolutely phenomenal. It's as if he had mind control over the ball. He also changed the football world for better or worse!

Years ago I remember someone pointing out Beckman's pace. He often covers the most distance of anyone on the field. And apparently in endurance running tests, he scored some of the highest. I think that came out when Park Ji-sung barely didn't beat Beckham's old record in, maybe the shuttle run test? This is of course not what makes or breaks a player. But if you combine this with his passing & kicking skill, you have something special. You don't need to win a lot of challenges with that skillset already there.

TBH there's no one so far taking a free kick or cross like him. The way he crossed the ball it's like the ball searching for the head and not the other way around. His free kick is absolutely lethal and beautiful at the same time.

"Despite how the millennials feel about him" is a weird choice of phrase. One of my earliest memories is being in the centre of manchester with tens of thousands of screaming fans while he went by on an open top bus.

Saw highlights of the 99 European Cup final and he held his own in central midfield. He could whip in consistently lethal crosses from more or less ten yards onwards from the opponents half. Not a flair , dribbler type such as giggs, mcmanamam. But outstanding in his position, and not overrated for what he can bring to the team. Kept possession well even against the likes of matthaus and deschamps. Rarely lost the ball, but still always looked to play forward.

Great Video, Analysis, editing, and narrative.

Fulfilled his childhood dreams (all of them!), all of his potential (it is bollocks to think he would’ve miraculously been a better player if he was an uncharismatic tart and had no interests outside football), he worked hard off and especially on the pitch - even Fergie admits his workrate was out of this world and he was always the fittest boy in practice. He perfected one part of his game - precision on crosses/free kicks, and i do mean PERFECTED it. The rest was also great. A perfect right winger, absolutely unique player. Not the only one who had a fallout with SAF - and despite popular opinion, SAF was a ruthless prick and wasnt some godlike manager who could do no wrong. He was disloyal to many players and David was just one of them, with the difference that he was the bigger man and made amends with the gaffer. Keano, Stam and RVN for example will never again speak to the old guy. Back to David. He was such a great guy, too. His Real Madrid transfer made all the sense, it was a step forward. Unfortunately he came to an already declining Galacticos team riddled with injuries, but he put the work in, played whatever position he needed to, rushing into crumching tackles, giving it all for Madrid shirt. He is a Madrid legend because he wore his heart on his sleeve, even if only for 3 seasons. And got rewarded with a most legendary la Liga title ever. So to answer your question. Yes, he fulfilled all his potential. Was a top player, best at his craft (crossing/fks), won titles in two greatest clubs in the world.... and outside pitch, ohh, simply became the GREATEST ICON and built up his brand and his riches. A fookin legend who most importantly won IN LIFE.

Yeah, he was the man. I got alot of respect for Beckham. He also put his heart and soul playing for England.

He had one of the best free kicks ever.. instead of saying he declined, how about saying he naturally slipped away from the game. People grow, change.. he never declined. I was 13 when the madness was around beckham but my dad always said back then in 96, forget all that he's a fantastic footballer. My dad didn't even like him or football unless it was England. But gave credit where it was due.

Amazing videos mate! 🙌🙌🔥🔥

Great video, some great footage and memories. Those were the days (90’s & early naughties). Beckham was a great player. He executed his role almost to perfection.

is this a joke? the video was amazing and you have 24 subs? i'm your 25th!

I love this series. Wish you never stopped

I remember watching that CL final. 3 goals in as many minutes to win after trailing for so long. It was just great to watch.

His long passing, free kicks, and crossing were among the greatest of all time if not the greatest.

My first "How Good" video and I am duly impressed. The concept, format, music and commentary are all professional level. Congrats on a wonderful product and I'm happy to be the newest sub. Cheers...

I'm honoured to subscribe this channel.. I'm a fans of Beckham..thank you for.

Legend⚽️⚽️…and what made him stronger and focused…His family…always supported him❤

His assists from long rage were the best ever. Directly to head or to foot.

As a scotsman. Beckham was the first ever name i had in the back as a kid that tells you everything in how good he was.

Say what you want about him being in decline or going after easy money or anything else, but as an American, Beckham will always occupy a spot in my list of greats. He's done more and continues to do more for US soccer than just about any US soccer player. His joining the MLS gave the league credibility and what he's doing with Miami can really be special. I think its fair to say that I'm a soccer fan because of David Beckham