Before the ball went in, England’s place at the 2002 World Cup was still hanging in the balance.
Then David Beckham stepped up.
His stoppage-time free kick against Greece on October 6, 2001, became one of the defining moments of his career. Twenty-five years later, adidas celebrates that goal with a limited edition boot: Predator Elite FT FG DB.
Both arrive in white, silver and red. Each tells a different part of the story.
October 6, 2001: Beckham Delivers
The stage was familiar. The stakes were enormous.
At Old Trafford, the stadium where Beckham had established himself with Manchester United, England needed a late goal to secure World Cup qualification.
It was exactly the kind of opportunity that made Beckham such a dangerous player: a set piece within range, with everything riding on the delivery.
His free kick found the net, sending England to the tournament and giving supporters a moment they would remember long after the final whistle.
That goal is the starting point for the anniversary collection, right down to details hidden beneath the tongue.
Predator Precision: Back to the Beginning
The Predator Precision FG DB takes its inspiration from the model Beckham wore during that era.
adidas pairs the original Predator Precision upper with the outsole from the current Predator Elite FT FG, bringing an archival design together with modern tooling.
The fold-over tongue carries Beckham’s name alongside the adidas Performance logo. Lift it and the connection to the goal becomes more specific: “90+3” references its timing, accompanied by a line recalling the anticipation before the strike.
A number 7 appears on the heel, while the insoles feature Beckham’s logo and the match details: England vs. Greece, Manchester, October 6, 2001.
His name is also woven into the elastic tongue strap. It’s a release packed with details for anyone who remembers the moment.
Predator Elite: Beckham’s Name, Today’s Platform
The Predator Elite FT FG DB brings the anniversary story to the current Predator.
Its upper and outsole construction match the existing Predator Elite FT FG, with the special treatment focused on the design and branding.
Beckham’s name replaces the usual Predator branding on the lateral side and appears on the fold-over tongue alongside the adidas Originals Trefoil.
Trefoil patterns extend across the Three Stripes, outsole and insoles, while the left and right cleats feature different combinations of adidas and Beckham branding. The elastic strap gets the same personal touch, with Beckham’s name woven into it.
There’s plenty to discover beyond the white, silver and red colorway.
Two Ways to Remember One Moment
The choice comes down to which part of the story draws you in.
The Precision revisits the look of Beckham’s playing era, with match-specific details that make the anniversary feel personal. The Elite carries his identity onto the current Predator platform.
Together, they celebrate a player whose name became inseparable from free kicks, fold-over tongues and the number 7.
For Beckham fans and Predator collectors, this is a release with a clear reason behind every detail.
Explore the adidas David Beckham Predator collection at Unisport Soccer.
