In the midst of his prime, still the world’s most recognizable athlete and on course to be a free agent in six months’ time, David Beckham had the football world at his feet on 11 January 2007. That’s why the news that broke that day – that the former Manchester United superstar was to leave Real Madrid at the end of the current La Liga season to join LA Galaxy in MLS – was so stunning.
“I’m coming there not to be a superstar,” the 31-year-old said in a press conference to formally announce the move the following day. “I’m coming there to be part of the team, to work hard and to hopefully win things.
