I suddenly feel inspired to blog about David Beckham.

It's weird, actually. I've never been much of a fan for him. To me, he's an overhyped soccer player and has nothing much to do with Newcastle. I don't love him nor do I hate him. He's just, someone.

But after reading the latest reports on him, I'm beginning to differ. David Beckham is one hell of a person, really. I'm starting to admire him, not for his good looks nor his latest hairstyle, but for his resilience and strong will.

Just look back at the past, and how he's developed. Many might have said that he shot to fame on the back of Victoria Spice, but everyone fears his deadly accurate freekicks. He's definitely put in the work in his passion for soccer. No surprise that he's been a steady contributor to Manchester United's success over the past years. Part of the world's best footclub (and I say this with a twinge of disgust), and a regular first teamer. Hardly possible if not for some latent skill.

If you remember his fateful red card which led to the scorn of an entire nation. Did he fold over and die? Nah, he bounced back and matured into England's captain. He's been left out of Steve McClaren's setup, only to be recalled, based on his outstanding performances at Real Madrid, a club which has constantly derided him for his choice to leave, only to eat their own words and admit that he has been pivotal to their push for the Spanish title.

Mercenary? Hardly. Just because he happens to be well-positioned to be the most recognizable and marketable face in soccer, and drawing top dollar for that, doesn't mean that he goes where the money goes. His latest move to MLS? Might be a desperate decision, perhaps. Imagine being outcasted by your international team, and benched by your club. What do you do? Why not do something meaningful and develop the soccer scene elsewhere?

Time and again, he has proved his detractors wrong. Steve's U-turn is a show of humility, Capello's words contradict his earlier misguided outrage. Beckham's injury-time freekick against Germany more than made up for his altercation earlier on. Ferguson's shoe did nothing to dampen his sense of professionalism.

He could probably just retire somewhere, rake in the endorsements and probably shoot a movie or twenty. More money to be had than in soccer, and probably less demanding too. His global appeal reaches out to hordes of estrogen-charged teenagers, most of which never understood the offside rule. Perhaps this is what makes the knowledgabe disdain; this very appeal appears to imply a lack of skill and passion in the football arena.

Which is not. You can be jealous of his looks and envious of his riches. You could point out his mistakes and laugh at him for being a poor player, after all, that is a subjective area. But from his continued dedication to make something out of his career, more than just a marketing tool, but rather, a player who fulfils his responsibilities and who never loses his hunger to win trophies, you cannot doubt his passion.

From the various setbacks, criticisms, mistreatments and shutouts, and constant ridicule and belittlement, you cannot deny the man the fact that he bears a character stronger than what most of us can ever hope to achieve. His only fault may be that he has been overexposed, and that leads to an increase in the number of negativity and animosity against him. But he has never failed to deliver; he has never disappointed.

Despite all these, he has never once, bitten back. Nary a negative putdown. He never gloated about proving people wrong. No, his sense of professionalism is so strong that he just gets the job done.

What do you do when you have it all? Fame, fortune, celebrity wife, an adoring throng of women, good looks. He could just retire and lead a comfortable life. But no, he continues on the one thing he has yet to achieve. What is it? Maybe a World Cup with England? Or perhaps, a glittering career with the game which he is so passionate about.

I say this again, you cannot deny the man respect. He has, under global scrutiny, managed to put out his best and never anything less. He has everything in this world, but he has not gained any of it by luck or chance alone. Hard work and sheer determination saw him through. Don't write him off as anything less.

I have a new role model in David Beckham, a newfound respect for a man who truly deserves what he has.