Categories: Editor's PicksEurope

The Spotlight on David Beckham

One of the best known faces on the planet, David Beckham, 38 years old, became an Image Ambassador for Chinese Football after his twenty year playing career came to an end last season. The League in China is known for its corruption and Beckham for his sense of fair play and so some good should certainly come out of the partnership. Visiting China in late June, he was photographed at a children’s hospital and his personal appearance in Shanghai caused a stampede with seven people injured.

In his glory days, Beckham was the world’s best paid player (taking into account sponsorship income) spending time at clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid, Milan, Los Angeles Galaxy and Paris St-Germain and representing his country in international matches. However, as Sir Alex Ferguson pointed out in 2007, ‘He is such a big celebrity that football is only a small part.’

“The spotlight will always be on me, but it`s something I`m learning to live with as the years go by”.

Married to Victoria, fashion designer and former girl group singer, Beckham is a style icon and has been voted the UK’s most influential man under 40 years. He received an OBE ten years ago and has since 2005 has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador focusing on sports for development. He is a patron of Elton John’s Aids Foundation and other HIV and children’s charities and clearly loves working with young people.

I we are looking to the world of football for a role model then David Beckham would seem to be a sane and obvious choice. He becomes our sporting Hero for the Summer issue.

CFI

Recent Posts

Project Spark: Powering Southern Africa’s Future Through a Balanced Energy Mix

Namibia’s first gas-to-power plant aims to address the region’s chronic energy shortages through a pragmatic,…

13 hours ago

ATIDI: De-Risking Africa’s Growth Trajectory Through Innovation, Impact and Integration

As Africa’s leading provider of credit and investment insurance, the African Trade & Investment Development…

3 days ago

Moody’s Ratings’ 2025 Forecast for Latin America: Stable Outlooks, Sustainable Finance Trends & Impact of US Policy Measures

By Moody’s Ratings With nearly 30 years of experience in Latin America, Moody’s Ratings continues…

3 days ago

Beyond Capital Partners: Driving Sustainable Growth in the DACH Region

Beyond Capital Partners (BCP), an owner-managed private equity firm based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany,…

1 week ago

Christoph D Kauter: Leading Beyond Capital Partners with Vision and Purpose

Christoph D Kauter, Founder and Managing Partner of Beyond Capital Partners, has built a career…

1 week ago

NBG Securities: Redefining Investment Services with a Vision for Growth

As a subsidiary of the National Bank of Greece, NBG Securities has evolved into a…

2 weeks ago