Can the Current World Cup Stars Compete With David Beckham?

June 18, 2010 — -- They can run, kick and head-butt with the best of them.

But does anyone from the current crop of World Cup stars have what it takes to be the next David Beckham?

These days, Beckham, the 35-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder, is known less for his skills in the stadium (he's not even playing for his native England in this year's tournament because of a torn Achilles tendon) than for his photogenic family (Posh Spice Victoria Beckham plus their three tykes) and shirtless ad campaigns (Armani, Gilette, Motorola.)

Arguably, no athlete can top him in terms of worldwide recognition. From Hollywood to Hanoi, Beckham reigns king. His celebrity status even eclipses his relatively sub-par soccer skills.

"David Beckham, when he came over to the U.S. and became a megastar, was a mediocre player," said Rob Tuchman, founder of New York City-based sports marketing firm TSE Sports & Entertainment. "The Beckham model is, 'I've got the looks, I was a great player at one point, my name was built up and now I'm trying to cash in on that.'"

Though there are plenty of hunks who can match Beckham's visual appeal and athletic aptitude, concocting another cocktail of soccer-star-slash-international-sex-symbol isn't as easy as, say, mixing a mojito.

"One, you've got to be recognized as one of the best players in the world. Two, you've got to be very good looking. Three, you've got to be willing to soak up the limelight. Four, if your wife or girlfriend also happens to be famous too, all the better. Five, your team has to win a lot," said Jen Chang, Sports Illustrated's soccer editor. "That's a lot of boxes to check."

But, considering that soccer ranks as the most popular sport in the world, if any athlete can break out of the box and emerge as an all-around celebrity, it's one of these guys.

"They play a sport that is accessible to virtually anyone anywhere in the world," said Lee Igel, an assistant professor in the sports business and management program at New York University. "Fans engage in some romanticism; that they have an affinity for players is in good part due to their not feeling too far removed from perceiving themselves on the field."

Below, check out five current World Cup players who could compete with Beckham's celebrity -- emphasis on "could." Keep in mind, despite his not-so-legendary soccer skills, the guy's legacy will be hard to beat. As Chang mused, "There never was a David Beckham before David Beckham."