Beckham admits desire to remain at Milan

David Beckham admitted in an interview published in the Corriere della Sera on Wednesday that he wants to stay at AC Milan.

Beckham joined the Italian giants on loan from Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy during the January transfer window.

He is due to return to the US on March 9, when his loan period comes to an end.

But the former England captain has been a major hit at the San Siro in the three games he’s played, even scoring in Sunday’s 4-1 win at Bologna.

And now he has admitted that it would be a wrench to leave one of the most famous clubs in the world to return to the relative backwater of the MLS.

“Playing here is the dream of every footballer,” he said. “But it’s not easy to make a decision, this situation needs time.

“I have a contract and I have a lot of respect for Galaxy. But the opportunity to play with Milan is something special.

“I knew I would enjoy it here but I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much. However, personally I am someone very respectful.”

The 33-year-old went into virtual semi-retirement 18 months ago when he left Real Madrid and signed a five-year deal with LA Galaxy to become the new figurehead for the MLS.

But Beckham demonstrated a desire to continue playing for his country and due to the extended MLS off-season, he was forced to look for alternative training and indeed playing arrangements in order to keep his fitness up over the European winter.

That is because England coach Fabio Capello had made it clear that he would only pick players who were playing regularly.

But since arriving in Italy, Beckham has proved he is still capable of making an important contribution at the highest level, something which the MLS cannot offer him.

“The truth is that the Americans are doing everything to improve the level and reputation of their football,” he added.

“The American championship is young and I think they still need another 10 years to get to a high level.”

If Capello’s decisions as England manager in part inspired Beckham to come to Milan, so too has his coaching helped the midfielder adapt.

“I knew that to play here you have to be very good technically and even more so in a team like Milan,” added the former Manchester United star.

“And I already knew that your league was very strong tactically, very tough.

“Fabio Capello, who coached me at Real Madrid, taught me many things. I learnt organisation and discipline from him.

“Now Capello has brought all that to the English national team.”