David Beckham is 36, he seemingly spends half his life at 36,000 feet jetting from football match to personal appearance to royal wedding, yet as he showed against Manchester United in New Jersey on Wednesday, Goldenballs can still kick it.
Ji-sung Park may have walked away with the Most Valuable Player award at the end of the game, but there must have been a block vote from the South Korean fan club to swing that one as Beckham once again stole the show, even in a 4-0 defeat.
Two things were eminently predictable prior to Beckham’s outing for the MLS All-Stars against United.
Firstly, that he would speak of the ‘emotional’ experience of playing against the ‘greatest club in the world’ – Beckham has always been in the king of PR – and secondly, that the former England captain would play every minute as though it were his last.
Barring an unlikely return to the Premier League when his LA Galaxy contract expires later this year, Wednesday’s friendly in the Red Bull Arena is likely to be the last time Beckham shares a field with his former club.
He has already seen off his Class of ’92 contemporaries at United by watching the likes of Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes all announce their retirement over the past 12 months.
But there is no dimming of the light when it comes to Beckham. His dazzling golden boots during the All-Stars game were only matched by the glitter of his performance.
Let’s not kid anyone, though. Unless his continued stay in California is merely to secure the world’s first leg transplant in the global capital of nip and tuck, Beckham will run out of steam sooner rather than later.
The qualities that propelled him onto centre stage at United in the mid-1990s are still visible, however.
Beckham can still pick a pass, his crossing remains unmatched and the tenacity that once saw him dominate Paul Ince on his return to Old Trafford in a friendly with Inter Milan shortly after his controversial move to San Siro all remain part of the package.
And the radar is still fully functioning when it comes to shooting at goal from anywhere within 30 yards of the net.
United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard was forced to make two impressive saves in the first-half of Wednesday’s game to deny Beckham the goal celebration that would have instantly flashed around the globe and given the old man the headlines once again.
The irony of Beckham’s performance, with Scholes no longer around to dictate play for United, was that his experience, quality and calming authority is precisely what Sir Alex Ferguson’s team need at the heart of their midfield.
That ship has sailed, though, and there will be no emotional return to Old Trafford for the prodigal son.
Beckham did pay a visit to the United changing room after the game, greeting former team-mates and bear-hugging Ferguson as he left, but although he joked to waiting reporters that ‘He wants to sign me,’ when asked about his discussion with Ferguson, it was wishful thinking.
Isn’t it?
