Beckham's Loan to AC Milan Benefits LA Galaxy and MLS
Saturday, 01 November 08, 09:55 PM · Comments (2)
Everybody and their mother seem to be speculating about David Robert Joseph Beckham’s loan to AC Milan in January. Is he betraying Galaxy fans? Is he leaving Major League Soccer for
good? Is Posh Spice pulling strings behind the scenes?
There are plenty of assumptions about what the midfielder’s motives are without looking at the big picture: This move is great for the MLS.
When he leaves in January, the team, the league and Beckham are going to get a healthy dose of needed exposure during the MLS off-season, and the best part is that the Galaxy are getting paid
for it.
Throwing Becks in the middle of the AC Milan roster will make him relevant again, suiting up next to the likes of Kaka, Ronaldinho and Maldini.
Instead of falling into obscurity for the next six months he’ll be back in the papers, on the screen and, maybe if he’s lucky, on the pitch.
The worry among many commentators is that Beckham’s would betray Galaxy fans by playing for a different team. However fans here in the United States see it differently.
A few years ago I was on the set of what was Fox Football Friday talking to Keith
Costigan and he was perplexed at how I could be a fan of Liverpool and wear a Thierry Henry Arsenal jersey. He commented that in England I couldn’t get away with that.
That’s fundamental difference between sports fans in the United States and fans in abroad. As much as we love our favorite team and as
passionate as we might be, it’s perfectly normal for us back other players and other clubs on the side.
Beckham’s loan to AC Milan will have little effect on Galaxy fans. Hell, you could probably sell the red and black Rossoneri jerseys at the Home Depot Center next season.
The other fear, that he's going leave the MLS and never comeback, is unfounded. Beckham has played-out every contract he’s signed and it’s highly unlikely that he would decide to spurn his
gigantic performance-based contract with the Galaxy.
In fact "performance" is probably the main force that will drive Beckham back to the MLS next spring; in his career he has won the league title with every team he has been under contract with
and, last-time I checked, he still has some work to do with the Galaxy.
Soccer commentators seem to have short memories. It was a little over year ago that, after being told he wouldn’t be re-signed at Real Madrid and then subsequently benched. Beckham refused to
stop training. Eventually he worked his way back on the field and helped push Real
to the La Liga title. That doesn’t sound like someone who would cash-out after an unsuccessful season and a half in LA.
I’m no Beckham fan, but the relentless bashing he takes in the press is pretty ridiculous. His track record, passion and contract all point to him returning to the Galaxy, but all you hear are
the arguments about him wanting to sell jerseys and pursue his wife’s fashion interests.
Luckily for all the naysayers, come next year when a fit and in-form Beckham returns to the Galaxy, all the attention will be on the MLS.
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2 Comments · Add yours
Very true, but the only downside would be if he got hurt and couldn't play for part of the next season with the Galaxy. That would not benefit the league nor the galaxy.
I am a Beckham fan, and think that this is a great move for him and for the galaxy but it could all go horribly wrong if he goes over and gets hurt.
I too agree with you. But as aggiefan points out, my fear is also that he might get hurt. Then the League and Galaxy will get the short end of the stick.
I am too fed up with all the bashing he takes from the media and fans. I wish more players had the passion he has.