Former Manchester United star Gary Neville believes David Beckham has had a major impact on American soccer

Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

L.A. Galaxy midfielder David Beckham still has some time left on his Major League Soccer contract, but he has already left a lasting legacy in American soccer, according to his former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville.

“David has had a huge impact on American football but he is the sort of character and person that has a massive impact on whatever he does and wherever he goes and I’m sure that there will be lots of long-term benefits as well,” Neville told Goal.com. “That sort of influence he has had will have had a huge affect on the crowds for the MLS games and the young people who will aspire to take up soccer.”

It will always be questioned if Beckham was worth all the hype when he entered MLS, a growing league that is still far behind the NFL, NBA, MLB and even the NHL. And it’s difficult to tell how much his presence has actually helped the league, but Neville believes time will show just how important Beckham is to not only MLS but soccer in the United States.

“His influence won’t be just felt while he is playing but there it will be felt for many years to come because I am sure they will see that he will have inspired huge numbers of young people to actually take up the sport,” Neville said. “That is some legacy.”

Beckham, who is better known in the United States for his celebrity status alongside wife Victoria than his soccer skills, dreamed of coming to America early on his career. Unlike several other top players around the world, Beckham entered the league in his prime rather than use MLS has a good retirement destination.

Beckham signed with the Galaxy on Jan. 11, 2007 for what was originally reported to be a deal worth $250 million, but it was later revealed that the ridiculous price was nothing more than an estimate of how much he could make with endorsements over his five-year contract. The actual deal with L.A. turned out being $32.5 million over the half decade.

“He always mentioned going to America to play before he finished his career and that is something that he gone and done and really relished it,” Neville said. “That’s because he would always want to be successful. He is an incredibly driven person who continued to play for England during the first part of his time over the California. That is a huge achievement.”

Beckham and Neville have a friendship that dates back to the early '90s when both began their rise from United's academy to world-wide stardom.

Neville ended up playing all 19 years of his career with the Red Devils, while Beckham went on to play for Real Madrid before making his way to MLS. But they have remained tight since, with Neville being the best man at the Beckham celebrity wedding in 1999 and Beckham making a trip back to Manchester to participate in Neville's testimonial in May.

"I have been in touch to congratulate him and Victoria on their new arrival," said Neville, referring to the couple's fourth child, who was born last month.

While Beckham wore a Manchester United uniform for perhaps the last time during Neville's retirement game, the 36-year-old will face his former team this month during the World Football Challenge. Neville won't be playing in the game, but you can bet he'll be watching as Beckham continues to draw Americans to soccer games.

Neville Reminisces

With Manchester United beginning its North America tour this week with a match against the New England Revolution Wednesday at Gillette Stadium, Neville looked back at his days traveling with the Premier League powerhouse.

"When we go on tour the things we would send back were presents and things that we would buy that we couldn’t carry back ourselves such as fragile items or pieces of furniture if we were doing things for our homes," Neville said. "The quirkiest thing I sent back home were some Moroccan chairs that are still taking pride of place in the Neville household."