LA Galaxy honoured former player David Beckham with a statue outside their stadium, but unfortunately some think it bears resemblance to Britain’s angriest chef, Gordon Ramsay.
Both men are heroes in their own way, but I don’t think it’s quite what the creator had intended.
Beckham played for the Los Angeles-based team for six years, where he won the MLS (Major League Soccer) Cup twice.
The statue, which is the first of its kind in the MLS, was unveiled in Dignity Health Sports Park ahead of the club’s season-opener on Saturday (March 2).
Forever in #LAGalaxy history.#BeckhamStatue | #Since96 pic.twitter.com/sHsIehk2yt
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) March 3, 2019
Speaking at the unveiling, the football legend called the experience a ‘dream come true’, adding:
From day one when my family arrived in this city, we felt at home and for that we will be forever grateful.
When I talk about LA Galaxy and when I talk about LA, I talk about it as family because it is a big family.
He continued:
I am truly proud you have created something to keep me young and give my family and friends and especially my kids, who can come here one day very soon and see something of their father and see what we created and what I achieved.
Former teammate Robbie Keane paid tribute to the footballer at the unveiling, as did LA Galaxy fan Snoop Dogg and NBA legend Kobe Bryant:
One of the most influential players in #LAGalaxy and @MLS history. | #BeckhamStatue pic.twitter.com/cHmsHeaTOP
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) March 2, 2019
While the permanent reminder of Beckham’s accomplishments is certainly thoughtful and well-deserved, the sculpted face wouldn’t be too out of place in an episode of Hell’s Kitchen.
Take a closer look here:
PAIt’s not hard to imagine him staring with disgust at an undercooked dish just out of shot, is it?
One person joked:
Tell me why it looks like David Beckham is standing in front of his dad Gordon Ramsay’s statue.
Tell me why it looks like David Beckham is standing in front of his dad Gordon Ramsay’s statue https://t.co/8Hc1drt9IX
— Jesus Luis-Mendez (@jluismen13) March 3, 2019
In all fairness, the footballer has been likened to Ramsay in the past, so it’s not necessarily the sculptor’s fault the statue inadvertently pays tribute to the fiery chef.
Doesn't Gordon Ramsay look like an old wrinkly David Beckham on @wossy
— Jay Man (@Jayman888) November 15, 2014
Is it me or what ? Gordon Ramsay and David Beckham are starting to look alike O.o
— Meral Crifasi (@MeralCrifasi) January 20, 2015
David beckham looks like a neater version of gordon ramsay
— misanthrope (@classicsock) September 25, 2016
At least the football kit and the big plaque with ‘David Beckham’ written on it work as giveaways as to who exactly the statue is supposed to be honouring.
Although, I suppose you could choose to believe it represents whichever man you look up to most?
Who do you think the statue better resembles?
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.