Love him or loathe him, you can’t keep David Beckham out of the news. The thirty-four year old mega-star played his first game back in Los Angeles over the weekend since he returned from his loan spell at AC Milan.
Anger
LA Galaxy were playing Milan in a friendly that had been arranged as part of the deal and some sections of the Galaxy support made their feelings of anger towards Beckham very clear indeed.
There were banners with slogans like “Go home fraudâ€Â, “Here before, here after and here despite 23†and “Repent 23â€Â
As the players were introduced there were some cheers for Beckham but they were drowned out by the booing. His every touch was jeered early on by a section of the crowd. As the players left the field at half-time Beckham walked towards an area of seating where jeering fans were sitting and he had to be escorted away from them as at least one angry fan had to be restrained.
Beckham was philosophical after the game,
“The majority of fans have been great. It was only one or two that, you know, it was to be expected. Sometimes it goes beyond it. I tried to shake one of the guy’s hands but he didn’t want any of it. That’s the way it is.”
On the pitch, Beckham showed that he is still a very important player by creating a goal with a great cross-field pass and then another when his accurate corner was headed in. Those two goals helped the Galaxy to an impressive 2-2 draw.
Unprofessional
After the game Galaxy striker Landon Donovan, who only last week was in the news for calling Beckham unprofessional, said,
“There’s not another player on this team or in this league who can make those kinds of plays. That’s going to be crucial for us.”
Beckham shrugged his shoulders in the direction of the jeering fans and applauded the majority who had been supportive when he was substituted on seventy-five minutes.
Of course, it is well documented that Beckham has stated that he wants to return to Milan and their manager, Leonardo, did nothing to suggest that won’t happen,
“His charisma is very important for other players. We are really happy with his situation.”
Beckham’s first game back with the Galaxy had been in a 3-1 win at the New York Red Bulls and with just six games remaining in their league season, they sit third in the table. Beckham may yet play a big part in what could be the Galaxy’s best ever end to a season. If he does, I’m not sure his detractors will still be booing him.
Overrated
Debates continue to rage about whether Beckham is and was a great footballer or is simply a brand that is vastly overrated. Whichever way you look at it, if he manages to appear for England in Germany 2010 that would be fourteen years of international football including four World Cups and two European Championships. He captained his country for six years and has played for three of World football’s greatest clubs, Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Whatever you might think of his ability as a player he surely deserves more respect than some people are showing him in LA at the moment doesn’t he?
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