Happy birthday David Beckham

David Beckham turns 33 today, but ol’ golden boots’ legend hasn’t aged very well

From 2003 to 2004, Google ranked his as the most popular sportsman in the world, by virtue of the number of times his name had been logged in. But in 2008, David Beckham's popularity has been confined to reports of his luncheons with his wife, Victoria, and her famous girlfriends — Eva Langoria and Katie Holmes.

Once the highest-paid footballer in the world, he now plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy in a country where baseball and basketball completely overshadow the sports arena. He was the man, dubbed the ultimate metrosexual, with campaigns for Coca Cola and IBM under his belt.

Beckham now amuses himself with appearances on talk shows, and by denying that he wears his wife's underwear around the house. And therein, lies the question. As he turns 33 today, does anybody even care about David Beckham anymore?

How did the world's most-loved sports superstar, fashion icon and perfect family man lose his charm? Even the Press, who showered much praise and affection on the star, turned against him and labelled his years at Real Madrid a failure.

The decline surely started the day he left for America, his flamboyant wife and picture perfect kids in tow. It surely started the day his life wasn't about the game anymore, but about the money, the endorsements and the publicity. It surely started the day 'Posh and Becks' left no stone unturned in their conquest of America.

They made A-list friends - read Tom-Kat - turned up at all the VIP parties, signed a $10 million deal for a reality series, showered the paparazzi with respect, acted like doting parents, and even got Madame Tussauds in New York to introduce a 'Welcome To America' exhibit featuring George W Bush greeting David and Victoria to the US.

Maybe the world simply had too much of Beckham and his perfect life. It has happened before. In fact, it happened to the Beckhams' good friend, Tom Cruise. He was easily the world' most-desired man, but after his Scientology and maniacal sofa-jumping on Oprah, Hollywood's golden boy became its embarrassment.

In India too, many stars have experienced the same fate. Larger-than-life actress Sridevi has tried her best to make a comeback, but there have been no fruits born of that labour. Her wet figure, clad in a sheer blue sari in Mr India had the whole nation drooling, but somewhere along the line she couldn't make the switch to a 'forever icon'.

Even Govinda, the hoi polloi hottie, couldn't keep up with the charm and suave of Shah Rukh Khan.

For Beckham, living in the shadow of his wife surely can't be easy. But he has one thing to thank her for as he turns 33. And that's the fact that she will always make sure that he remains in the public eye — even if it's just for being her husband.
b_aastha@dnaindia.net