I knew from the first time I saw Becks that he was special

Posted Saturday, May 18, 2013 by thesun.co.uk

I KNEW from the first time I saw him that David Beckham would be something special.

The way he looked, the way he played and the way he conducted himself on the training pitch around international stars.

I remember thinking to myself, not bad at all... for a 10 YEAR OLD! Yes. That is how old Beckham was when I first met him.

Even though it is impossible to predict how young boys will develop, you could just tell he would make it.

He had that look in his eye, the magic in his boots and Bobby Charlton at his shoulder.

Not a bad combination for any kid starting out on the road to football stardom, something Beckham undoubtedly achieved before announcing his retirement.

I’ve not played much of a part in his career but not for the want of trying! Our paths first crossed in 1986 when I was Barcelona manager.

Becks, then 10, came over to our training ground as part of his prize for winning a competition run by Bobby’s soccer school.

He had apparently been his star pupil in the half-term and summer holidays training camp — and when he arrived at our training base it was not difficult to see why.

A quiet lad, we showed him around and posed for the usual photos. Then he watched us train and we invited him to take part in a couple of sessions. Blimey. He raised a few eyebrows that day.

I must have watched thousands of kids in my time but as we said goodbye I made sure I would not forget his name. So much so when I returned to England a year or so later as manager of Tottenham, I made sure he was on our radar.

He trained with us regularly and just before his 13th birthday we tried to sign him. I invited him and his family to meet me and our youth development officer John Moncur at White Hart Lane.

I knew David got on well with John and that his grandad was a Spurs fan. I also hoped that being a local club he would give us a chance. But as soon as he walked in the room I sensed it wasn’t to be.

Despite being as charming as ever, you could tell his heart was elsewhere. About 200 miles north to be precise, at Old Trafford.

It was no secret David was a huge Manchester United fan so we never had a hope of getting him to pick us over his beloved Red Devils.

And so I missed out on him. That was the story of my career as far as he was concerned. He was just too young for my England squad for Euro 1996.

And I was England No 2 when Steve McClaren decided to leave him out of the squad. Becks, to his credit, fought his way back and went on to win 115 caps.

Much has been said about how he compares to the greats. But one thing is for sure, you could never question his attitude.

In an era when it became fashionable to quit international football, Becks never once let his country down. And you do not win as much as he has without knowing how to play.

Those players who earn a fortune from glossy magazine deals these days also have plenty to thank him for. For a while he was the biggest star on the planet — and certainly one of England’s finest exports.

He became a global icon and trendsetter yet managed to do it with style and diplomacy.

He was Peter Perfect. Let’s hope his retirement is the same.