Over the last five years, David Beckham has established himself as British football's modern superstar. Fabulous earnings, a pop star wife, some daring fashion statements and his ability on the football field have transformed him from a promising young Manchester United trainee into a world-class player with a wealth of trophies, the almost constant attention of the media and the England captaincy. The programme reminds us of how he first came to the attention of the country at the beginning of the 1996 - 97 season with a goal for Manchester United from the half-way line. His rise to a regular England international came very quickly, and he travelled with England to France 98. His performances were excellent, but he was sent off against Argentina for a moment of petulance. His absence for much of the match and England's eventual defeat on penalties resulted in a hate campaign directed against him by so-called football fans for much of the next season and fuelled by a tabloid frenzy. Beckham responded by giving his best performances yet for his club, and his continuing desire to play for England. His real accolade as an England player came when he was appointed captain after the retirement of Alan Shearer. For the first time, his international form has come to accurately reflect his superb record with his club. "The Real David Beckham" takes a look at the many highs and few, exaggerated lows of his career until he was made England captain. The hairstyles, the goals, the wedding, the fashions etc. are all discussed by his legion of celebrity fans. He has no shortage of fans at the moment, since he put England into next year's World Cup almost single-handedly yesterday.
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