In the world of soccer, records are meant to be broken, and often, they are broken by the very best. Recently, Inter Miami star Lionel Messi reached a milestone that puts him level with another icon of the game. The Argentine maestro equaled the incredible free-kick record held by none other than his club’s co-owner, David Beckham. Messi took his free-kick goal tally to 65 and equalized the nine-year-old record set by Beckham. Nonetheless, one young player firmly believes that the former Manchester United winger is Master Oogway of free-kicks.
A young 21-year-old soccer player has now emerged as a passionate admirer of Beckham. Like most of us, he relived his glory days through Beckham’s new documentary on Netflix. Though the world marvels at the wizardry of Lionel Messi, this recent support from a budding talent reminds the English player’s set-piece prowess.
Young talent praises the set-piece artistry of David Beckham
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In a press conference, ahead of the match between Bristol City and Ipswich Town in the EFL Championship, Bristol City’s 21-year-old full-back Taylor Gardner-Hickman has emerged as an ardent admirer of Inter Miami boss David Beckham. Gardner-Hickman shared his profound admiration for Beckham’s skills, especially in the art of set-piece taking. He confessed that he looks up to Beckham and tries to implement the same techniques as the former England captain.
Gardner-Hickman recalled a scene from Beckham’s life that captured the true essence of his commitment to the sport. He remembered a specific part from the documentary that rang bells in his head. He stated, “He was at the World Cup and just took a speaker and loads of bags of balls and just started hitting the same free-kick again and again and again. And the following day he ended up scoring, so that just goes to show.”
Although Beckham hung up his boots almost a decade ago, he left a lasting legacy for budding players. His trademark bending strikes, precision, and ability to deliver the perfect ball from a set piece earned him admiration from fans and fellow players.
Beckham’s set-piece legacy
David Beckham’s legacy as a free-kick taker is already secure. The Inter Miami owner’s impact on set pieces goes beyond his goals. Fans can still witness his doppelgangers in the form of the young English generation, such as James Ward-Prowse and Trent Alexander Arnold.
Beckham’s dedication to practice was also exemplary. He knew that the only way to become a great free-kick taker was to put in the hours on the training pitch. His work ethic paid off, and he became one of the most successful free-kick takers in the sport.
While Lionel Messi‘s achievement in equaling Beckham’s record adds another layer to their shared legacy, it’s the stories of Taylor Gardner-Hickman that captivate the true essence of Beckham’s legacy.
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