April 29, 2024
Soccer would, Mark Wahlberg said in 2009, never find its place in the U.S. after he was roiled over David Beckham's efforts to introduce the game.
But, after fifteen years, the ex-Manchester United winger proved the Transformers star prediction wrong.
Amid the legal battle between the duo over fraud, the Ted actor's remarks came on the heels of non-stop coverage of the Beckhams who were once his neighbours.
"Man, the Beckhams. It used to be so quiet on my road," the 52-year-old expressed frustration to Daily Mail.
"Then David moves in with his family. Suddenly we've got paparazzi hanging out day and night. Now they'll follow any car that drives down the road."
"I take strong exception to that kind of thing. When I take my kids to the park I don't want strangers sticking their lenses into our faces," he said at the time.
Mark, however, would not have thought to eat his words when he gave the verdict that football has no future in America. "I'm not telling Beckham to take his family home."
He continued, "I'm just not sure why he came to America in the first place. Man, we don't want your soccer. There's no way Americans are going to buy the idea of 90 minutes of running around without much happening. Thanks for trying guys, but we'll stick to baseball and basketball."
But, the wind started to move in David's favour after he pulled off Lionel Messi's transfer to his club Inter Miami in 2023.
Soon, the 'Messi mania' swept the Americans in soccer fever as interest in the game spiked at lightening speed leaving David with the last laugh at Mark's expense, according to The Mirror.