David Beckham: LA Galaxy to AC Milan
The England International's Successful Loan Move to Italy
Feb 16, 2009
Since he has moved to Italy, Beckham has been a revelation on the football pitch for AC Milan. In such a short period of time, he has already won over a notoriously critical national media, in a country where football is followed religiously. A far cry from the ‘soccer’ of the Major League in the United States, the lure of AC Milan has proved too hard to resist for Beckham, who wants to extend his stay for the Italians.
Form for AC Milan
At 33 years of age, the quality of Beckham’s performances for Milan will have surprised almost everybody in the media. There has suddenly ceased to be any leering comments that he was signed simply to sell shirts and whether Carlo Ancelotti, the Milan coach, would feature him in his team at all. Since his arrival he has been one of Milan’s best players, galvanising the pursuit of their great rivals, Internazionale, at the top of Serie A. His goal-scoring free-kick against Genoa in the league in January was simply sensational. He has scored twice in 5 games, with 2 assists in the recent 3-0 demolition of Lazio. One person who will not be surprised with his displays will be Beckham himself.
Self Belief
He has always held an unwavering belief in his own ability as a footballer. Beckham was always the player that stayed on the training pitch longer than all the other players, always practicing, always seeking to get better. Indeed, the team he supported growing up, Manchester United, he still adores to his very core. Beckham is a player who has continually defied his critics. In 2007 while playing for Real Madrid in Spain, under the current England manager, Fabio Capello, Beckham was overlooked repeatedly by the Italian coach, only to play once again, becoming integral to their eventual triumph for the La Liga trophy. In 2006 the former England captain also stated his intention to play for his country at the 2010 World Cup, a statement thought unrealistic by many, considering he would be 35 years of age. Such a statement is now looking less unlikely.
It would seem that Capello remembers Beckham’s importance to the Madrid team in the second half of the 2007 season. It is questionable whether he would have selected the player at all for England had he not worked so closely with him before. In attendance for the AC Milan defeat of Genoa, Capello certainly sees Beckham as part of his England plans. England will certainly benefit from his move to the Italian giants.
Loan Deal to Permanent Move
Playing for Milan, Beckham has now played in Europe’s three premier national championships for three of its finest, historic clubs, along with Real Madrid and Manchester United. Regardless of how advantageous it is financially to the club of having Beckham on their books, if Milan foolishly do not turn his loan deal into a more permanent one, they will genuinely lose a key player. Moreover they will risk severely denting their Scudetto aspirations.
