Interesting article in a very good, new publication called European Business.
In their March issue they have a special feature on football and they take a look at who might be the next Beckham, (no, not the mediocre player, the marketing juggernaut).
It was an interesting list of 11 players, none older than 20. Two clubs each had two players on the list. Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo both made it. And?
Cesc Fabregas and Arturo Lupoli also made it. Yes, I know everyone here at ArseAm is a purist who only cares about what happens on the pitch. But it?s nice to see that Arsenal are recognized outside of the sports pages. Having top marketers from across Europe see that you have not one but two hot young players in your squad is a good thing. The list in full:
Andreas Ivanschitz (Austria)- SK Rapid Vienna
Francesc Fabregas (Spain), Arturo Lupoli (Italy)- Arsenal
Danny Szetela (USA)- Columbus Crew
Bastian Schweinsteiger (German)- Bayern Munich
Wayne Rooney (England), Christiano Ronaldo (Portugal)- Man United
Lucas Biglia (Argentina)- Argentinos Juniors
Lance Davids (South Africa)- 1860 Munich
Jeremy Menez (French)- Sochaux
Fernando Torres (Spain)- Atletico Madrid
11 Responses to “International Bright Young Things”
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March 29th, 2005 at 2:42 pm
I love lists, Rick. Especially when people respond with what they feel are glaring ommissions and disbelief at those picked.
Since Beckham’s popularity was based in large part on his looks, I fail to see Wayne Rooney succeeding the throne. He’s an a**, too.
And I wonder what happened to Freddie Adu? Not so much a heartthrob, but still very commercial.
Interesting to note: no Reyes. At 21, is he already over the hill?
March 29th, 2005 at 4:39 pm
Adu will be a commercial success in the US, in Europe and the rest of the world it’ll probably be a harder sell. In a lot of places ‘American soccer superstar’ just won’t compute.
Complete agreement on your other points though, really surprised they’d list Rooney but leave off Jose.
Makes me wonder though.. what would Beckham be in this regard if he hadn’t married Posh?
March 29th, 2005 at 4:47 pm
Rick,
I am not sure about their list at all.
Maybe it’s just business. These kind of magazine work closely with big sponsors.
I won’t be surprised to see some agents closely behind this kind of list.
I won’t make any jugement about the players in the list.
Sure they all have got the talent to do the marketing job.
I think this list is just too pretentious.
But….
March 29th, 2005 at 6:49 pm
I think now might be a good time to take that picture of me with Lupoli (see ‘Members Photos’) off the website. With my track record, that picture can only LOWER his value!
March 29th, 2005 at 9:01 pm
Yeah, like you didn’t do any questionable photos when you were younger and needed the money Mario.
No such thing as bad publicity..
March 29th, 2005 at 10:30 pm
Actually, I didn’t get paid. It was for pleasure.
YEAH BABY!
March 30th, 2005 at 4:51 am
Interesting to see Lance Davids on the list who had two trials with Arsenal as a 13 year old in 1998. Wenger does spot them young.
March 30th, 2005 at 11:14 am
Just shows what a load of cr*p that list is if a player Arsenal had in 1998 is not plying his trade for 1860 Munich. If he’s the next Beckham, what’s he doing there at 20?
As for Lupoli, you just know he’ll never make it - we all know that Quincy has a much better chance - where is he in the list? duh!
March 30th, 2005 at 11:28 am
I think david bentley has a really really gud chance to become the next beckham.he plays on the right,and he is english.
and the best part is he is an arsenal player.
March 30th, 2005 at 12:31 pm
Hey! Don’t diss my Italian friend. Remember, he’s only 17 (turns 18 in June). Heck, we need some Italian flavor on the club!
FORZA LUPOLI!
–@@–
.”\__/”
March 30th, 2005 at 10:12 pm
Arturo’s not much the looker, yeah?