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Ferguson, which more than likely, precipitated the move to Real Madrid.

So, what do I think? Personally, I have always felt that Beckham was and is the most overrated, over-hyped player in the history of sports. He is unquestionably a "free kick" genius...a real master, who bends a soccer ball like no one else can. There is no argument there. He is undoubtedly blessed with an amazing gift, but man for man...nah!

I do believe accolades such as FIFA's 1999 and 2001 runner up in the Player of the Year Award were a stretch. Is he worth the money? From a straight overall footballing perspective...running...pace.. .dribbling...etc...nah!. He is nowhere close to the Brazilian "god" Pele...the Argentinian magician - Maradona, not even close to some of todays lesser mortals such as Zidane and Ronaldinho. So is he worth $250 Million big ones...nah!

Football...I mean soccer, is however a global sport like no other with commercial reach beyond imagination. Just think. FIFA's annual income, in recent times, was reported to be over $700 Million and get this. It was projected that the last Cup in Germany would be watched by some three Million spectators with a television audience of 3.5 Billion. It is certainly the most watched sports in history and its global acceptance is second to none.

It's a business that feeds off itself and the megastars that play the game. Beckham may not be the greatest player to ever walk onto a soccer field but his legendary free kicks, his movie star good looks (or so I am told) and his Pop Star wife - Posh Spice, all combine to give him unparalleled drawing power and that is what American Soccer needs right now. Forget about overall footballing skills...we can get those players later.

Bringing Beckham to the States is akin to Pele joining the New York Cosmos towards the end of his playing days in 1975; a move intended purely to peak America's interest in the sport. Pele's $2.8 Million 3 year contract and brief stay in the States paid big dividends for a while with attendance at games increasing by over 80% ( and for the record, he did lead the team to the league championship game in 1977).

However, after he left, America's interest waned. In 1994, the World Cup of soccer came to the shores of the United States and with the National Team reaching the knockout stage of finals, there was talk of a revival but again, this only lasted for a short time.

Soccer has always been a difficult draw for Americans for a number of reasons:

1. The format of the game

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