Golden Blow: David Beckham.
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Let us say that a search is made, a competition, of the most beautiful man in the world. The standard, strictly, is male beauty. Not handsomeness or sexiness. Not intelligence or flair or style. Simple male beauty, the exact opposite of what people think when confronted with the concept of female beauty. The pretty face, perfect skin, kissable lips and angel eyes. The vulnerability and innocence, the dominance and submission, the strength and the softness. Who do I think will win? Who do I think will win by a mile?

My answer is quick. David Beckham.

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David Beckham is one of the most famous superstars and recognizable icons of our time. He distinguished himself by being a successful soccer player in England. He represented his country in several World Cup tournaments since his late teens and during the last meet, earned the honor of being the only person to score goals in all four of his World Cup tours of duty. He has made a round of several soccer teams and leagues. Along the way, he earned several championships, the respect of his peers and the admiration of his countless fans. He has donned the uniforms of Real Madrid and Manchester United. He has played in England and in Spain. He is well known for the free kick that is certain to earn a point for his team.

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Last year, in the twilight of his career, Beckham made his controversial move from Europe to the United States to play with the Los Angeles Galaxy. At the end of his first season in American pro soccer, all David delivered to the team that signed him a multi-million dollar contract was a single goal.

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When I came to know of David Beckham, the name and the face were first. The sport came later. While I've heard or seen from ESPN and other cable channels or read in sports magazines that he is a venerable soccer player, I never came to see him play. But I saw him in magazines and newspapers. I saw his product advertisements and his paparazzi pictures.

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Thus, it was to brand Beckham that I was first introduced. His Pepsi advertisements, his Motorola posters, the Disneyland ads. The lavish lifestyle he shares with wife Victroria Beckham (Posh Spice of the defunct Spice Girls) and the twenty or so changes in hairstyle that the guy has had in the last century and a half. And how could I forget the shirtless pictures that the paparazzi have made a living of!

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Like everyone else who is rarely able to resist the lure of pop culture, I liked and welcomed Beckham. At times I also call him Becks. Why can't I when he is so easy on the eyes? Why can't I when this guy is so, so, sooooo beautiful?

Some people bent on keeping the gender distinctions clear would correct me and say that Becks isn't beautiful, he is appropriately handsome. That may or may not be true for them. But for me, I find it difficult to associate handsomeness with Beckham but I am easily able to find him beautiful.

The reason, I think, is that I am hardly able to detect or appreciate any masculinity on the part of Beckham. I do not imply or even myself suppose that Beckham is gay. The fact is, I truly believe that the guy is straight, his metrosexuality notwithstanding. The only point of doubt on my part is his association with Tom Cruise. Sometimes I imagine that the two couples together swap spouses. Tom and Becks in one bedroom. Katie and Victoria in the other. Hmm hmm. Eyes wide shut.

Becks is beautiful. He has great eyes that are twinkly and childish. The nose is as feminine as Cindy Crawford's. His mouth is as kissable as Jessica Alba's.

I would have featured Becks in my blog long ago, as a Must Blow or a SpeciMen, but some things made me reconsider. Sometimes, I dislike Beckham for his vanity and his thin voice (the UNICEF ad was a real turn-of) but mostly because he is married to Victoria. But now, the temptation of titling this piece as Golden Blow to mark the nomination of my fiftieth Must Blow guy is too great to resist.

The propensity of Beckham to flaunt and pimp his beautiful face and slightly equally beautiful body is another argument for considering David as feminine. I don't know any other guy who gets pleasure from such sheer exposure. Others, like Kevin Federline or Brody Jenner, do it for the notoriety or the promise of a bright showbiz career. David needs none of it as he is already David Beckham. It is, I believe, the sheer nakedness and flaunting and exposure that gets him hot for these.

Back to the Search for the World's Most Beautiful Man. Do I think he will join the contest? Of course. It appeals to his sense of vanity and his proclivity for exposure. He would love the competition and the title. He will dress up his missus and his three handsome sons and attend the coronation night. He will proudly wear the crown and walk around the stage and wave his hands dutifully as the photographers click for photos. Becks will also eagerly wait for the tabloid issues of the following day, cut the clippings and endlessly admire how beautiful he looked.

When America went gaga with David's transfer to the US, I really thought that they were committing the mistake of thinking or believing that he will be able to make soccer a major sport in their country. The best days of Beckham the soccer player are behind him. What crossed an ocean to play with the Galaxy was nothing other than a celebrity. One who will smile for the cameras, sign autographs and cut ceremonial ribbons.

Oh, he will also take off his shirt to a sellout crowd in the stadium.

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