Karel Poborsky turns 50 - blocked by Beckham, deadly illness and Man Utd return

The story of Karel Poborsky is a remarkable one.

From his iconic chip at Euro 1996 and having his Manchester United career stunted by a certain David Beckham, to defying all odds to overcome a life-threatening brain condition, it's been quite the ride for the Czech legend who turns 50 on Wednesday.

Poborsky will forever hold a special place in the hearts of the people from the Czech Republic having broken barriers and helped put the nation on the map. Three years after the country was formed following Slovakia's move to independence, the wild-haired winger - who now sports a more stylish look - lit up Euro 1996 and inspired his newly-established team to a run to the final.

But it is for one moment in particular during that tournament that Poborsky made his name. During a shock 1-0 quarter-final success over European giants Portugal, the Czech attacker scored a unique winner, looping the ball over advancing goalkeeper Vitor Baia.

His audacious scooped lob has gone down in history as an iconic moment in European Championship history, and played a significant role in earning him a move to United. Having caused another upset by knocking out France at the semi-final stage, a date with Germany at Wembley awaited Poborsky and his Czech comrades.

Prior to that match, however, a visit from none other than Sir Alex Ferguson would see him agree upon a move to Manchester before the tournament had even finished. Poborksy revealed to The Guardian back in 2019: "Sir Alex Ferguson came to the hotel in Preston to visit me just before the final and asked me if I wanted to move to Manchester United and obviously I answered yes."

Have Your Say! Was Karel Poborsky's lob at Euro 1996 the greatest goal in European Championship finals history? Tell us what you think here.

Poborksy established himself as somewhat of a cult hero during his 18 months at Old Trafford, however, his time with the Red Devils was brought to an abrupt end following the emergence of an aspiring young winger going by the name of Beckham. Ferguson revealed: "He [Poborsky] did very well for me.

"We were looking to sign a right-sided midfielder and he [Poborsky] had done so well at the European Championships in 1996. At that time we didn't expect David Beckham to break through the way he did, so he was unfortunate."

The legendary Scot added: "But he played many good games for us, the problem was that he was coming from another country with a young player like Beckham emerging." Though the future England captain would usurp Poborsky from the United first-team and ultimately force his exit to Benfica in 1998, the Czech star admits there was no animosity between the two of them.

"There was no personal rivalry with Beckham," Poborsky admitted. "The fans liked me and still remember me; because they could see my enthusiasm and that I was ready at all times.

"It didn't matter if I played the whole match or just the last minute. I accepted that Beckham was number one and I was second in line."

After two-and-a-half seasons in Lisbon, Poborsky joined Lazio 's star-studded ranks before returning to his homeland and subsequently retiring in 2007 - three years after inspiring the Czech Republic to another successful campaign at Euro 2004. However, little did Poborsky know that life after football would be far from plain-sailing.

In the summer of 2016, the Czech icon was taken suddenly ill and swiftly placed into a medical-induced coma. Poborsky had contracted a brain infection, potentially caused by a tick living in his beard, leaving the muscles in his face paralysed and the former United star with hypersensitivity to light.

Poborsky later revealed that had he arrived at the hospital just one day later, he would likely have died. Thankfully, after three weeks of quarantine in medical care, the Czech legend made a full recovery - and his story isn't finish just yet.

On May 21, Poborsky will once again resume his love affair with the Red Devils when he returns to Old Trafford for a special Legends of the North match against United's fierce rivals Liverpool. "My heart beats for Manchester United," Poborsky declared, and it's a blessing his heart is still beating at all.