A pair of football boots worn by England legend David Beckham in a World Cup qualifier 26 years ago smashed their auction estimate to smithereens.
The star donned the footwear in a World Cup 1998 qualifying match between Italy and England on October 11, 1997 which ended in a 0-0 draw.
The black, white and red Adidas Predator football boots plus Beckham’s autograph went under the hammer in Hansons Auctioneers’ November 14 Sporting Auction with an estimate £2,000-£3,000. But thanks to huge interest, the winning bidder paid a total of £19,024 with buyer’s premium – more than six times the top estimate.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons, said: “It’s a brilliant result. David Beckham memorabilia will always be sought after. He has long been one of England’s biggest superstars, plus right now his profile is higher than ever due to the success of the Netflix documentary ‘Beckham’.
“Millions of viewers are fascinated by his life story and some are discovering how special he is for the first time. His showbiz lifestyle and success post-football keep him in the public eye but it all began thanks to his ability to kick a ball. I wasn’t surprised to see his football boots surpass estimate. They’re a rare memento of a brilliant player.”
Beckham, the documentary in which David and wife Victoria open up their lives, has scored Netflix’s biggest audience of the year in the UK. The Fisher Stevens-directed series launched on October 4 and amassed 3.8m viewers in a week, according to Barb, the UK’s official TV audience research body. Produced by Beckham’s Studio 99 and Ventureland, the second episode netted nearly 2.9m viewers.
Beckham is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders and set-piece specialists of his generation. His club career began with Manchester United. He made his first-team debut in 1992 aged only 17. He gained 115 England caps between 1999-2009.
He went on to become the first English player to win league titles in four countries – England, Spain, the United States and France. He is one of the greatest Manchester United and England players in the history of the game.
Auction: The football boots sold in Hansons Auctioneers’ November 14 Sporting Auction.
