Well done Beckham's dad for not raising a praise junkie

Top marks to David Beckham's dad for taking a full two decades to come up with a compliment to pay to his son, by common consensus one of the greatest English football players of his generation.

- PAUL CLEMENTS

“My dad never told me I’d done well really until my 100th cap,” Beckham junior has revealed to James Corden in a podcast. “That was the first time he turned around to me and said: ‘You’ve made it, boy.’”

The momentous father-son moment came in 2008, while Beckham was signed to LA Galaxy – so not during his glory years at Manchester United, or his spell alongside the Galacticos at Real Madrid – and the praise from Ted Beckham emerged after the then 32-year-old had played adequately for 61 minutes in an otherwise forgettable friendly against France, who beat England 1-0.

At first glance, it’s an odd occasion to break that duck for a drill sergeant of a dad who had kept his counsel about his highachieving son for years. Although clearly still momentous for the boy who had waited for this peep of praise, it was preordained. That it happened regardless of Beckham’s on-the-day performance means it contains something of a sting. You’ve reached your century for your country, here’s a pat on the back from your old man. Now don’t let it go to your head.