David Beckham’s fledgling career changed almost overnight in 1996 when he scored a wondergoal from the halfway line for Manchester United against Wimbledon.
Speaking on Beckham’s Netflix documentary, his dad Ted referred to how the press suddenly became fascinated with him, “They never left him alone after that.”
David Beckham used his incredible goal to propel him to a career spanning more than 100 England caps, titles in England, Spain and France, and most memorably, the Champions League in 1999.
His profile increased immediately after the goal, with Beckham becoming a household name, later given the club’s iconic number seven shirt.
“There’s no argument David Beckham’s unbelievable strike will be the goal of the season. The only debate is whether it is the greatest goal ever”, the News of the World wrote at the time. Similar conversations have been had this week…
Alejandro Garnacho following David Beckham route
Last weekend, there was another incredible moment in a young player’s career, which will be remembered forever, just like Beckham’s halfway line goal.
Alejandro Garnacho, 19, scored a spectacular overhead kick, which Beckham’s former teammate Gary Neville lauded as the best he has ever seen.
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It’s impossible not to make the comparisons to a young Beckham, a football-obsessed youngster with incredible ability, who has the X-factor, already making an impact for Manchester United. Add in the blond highlights to his hair, for good measure.
Garnacho’s goal has been seen around the world. It created headlines in his native Argentina, while the goalkeeper of this week’s opponents Galatasaray, Fernando Muslera, said he expects it to contend for the Puskas Award.
Garnacho’s Instagram feed also contained applause from Real Madrid stars Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.
The Manchester United youngster was a player with a rising profile already, but at this club, there are always questions, and people trying to run you down. Garnacho’s goal was an emphatic response.
Number seven near-miss and Cristiano Ronaldo comparisons
The comparisons during his young career have been to a young Cristiano Ronaldo. Garnacho has driven this, idolising him since his Atletico Madrid days, before signing for United in 2020.
Garnacho even celebrated his goal with a Ronaldo’s iconic ‘Siuu’, a tribute to a player he shared a pitch with in 2022. He even benefitted from his first goal against Real Sociedad last year from a Ronaldo assist.
His playing style and desire to run at opponents is much more akin to a young Ronaldo, than a Beckham, who was known for his passing, but in terms of his wondergoal launching his career forward, Garnacho is set to benefit in the same way as the ex-England captain.
Nothing will be the same for Garnacho again. He will watch it back for years. Managers will be afraid to leave him out, knowing that at any moment, he is capable of something special. A newfound respect will be there from his opponents.
Garnacho has an arrogance about his game, and now has the evidence he can back it up. This will take his confidence to a whole new level.
There was a groundswell of support from fans this summer for Garnacho to get the iconic number seven shirt previously worn by Beckham and Ronaldo.
The club leaned another way, giving it to Mason Mount, perhaps not wanting to burden Garnacho with added pressure. But he would have embraced it, and it is Mount who is facing questions, over a tough start.
Whatever happens with the former Chelsea midfielder over the next three to four years, Garnacho will happily step in if the shirt becomes available. But it is just a number. Garnacho plays with the confidence of a number seven, and has the magic in his boots to back it up, whatever is on the back of his shirt.
What happens next, is entirely up to him. He can’t always be looking back, he has to move forward.
But however further forward he goes, whether it be a Ballon d’Or, a World Cup, a Premier League or Champions League title – there will always be a look-back to his wondergoal, as his coming-out-party announcing himself to the world, the moment it all changed.
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
