Retro Rewind: David Beckham - adidas Predator Touch
With the imminent launch of the new adidas Predator model and David Beckham becoming the first Englishman to win top flight championship medals in four European countries, we take a retrospective look at the iconic Predator that helped announce his unforgettable arrival to the Premier League.
August 17th 1996, Selhurst Park, South West London. Beckham, who has heard good things about the new Predator Touch - the third generation adidas Predator - asks adidas if they can supply him a pair for Manchester United's opening league fixture of the 96/97 season against Wimbledon.
As one of England's most promising young stars and a regular in the Manchester United squad, adidas oblige, but the only pair available to him in his size eight have been manufactured for Glasgow Rangers midfielder Charlie Miller, and even had his name embroidered on the tongue. Unfazed, Beckham laces up and heads out for the first game of the season.
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In the 87th minute United are cruising 2-0 thanks to goals from Eric Cantona and Denis Irwin. After an attacking Wimbledon are intercepted the ball finds itself at the feet of Beckham just inside the half-way line. Beckham audaciously strikes the ball in the direction of the Wimbledon goal, the ball flies high through the air, lobs Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan and hits the back of the net without bouncing. Beckham has arrived.
Weeks later Beckham went to earn his first England cap in a World cup qualifier against Moldova. That season he scored 8 goals for United, who won the Premiership, and was voted PFA Young Player of the Season.
By 1996 the adidas Predator had been available for over two years and was making quite a name for itself throughout the world of football. The adidas Predator Touch introduced the Predator's distinctive fold-over red tongue and featured aggressively designed rubber fins for improved boot-to-ball contact.
The adidas Predator went on to become one of the most innovative and popular boots for the next decade. As Beckham continues to make history, so to does the ever evolving adidas Predator. This week marks the arrival of the thirteenth Predator model. Beckham's wonder goals might have dried up, but he's still mixing it in the big leagues. Could this be the final Predator of the Beckham era?
Stay tuned to SoccerBible as we'll be bringing you all the latest news on the next generation adidas Predator. Let us know what you think. Join in the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
