David Beckham not returning? Alexi Lalas says it's possible
Former Galaxy player and general manager Alexi Lalas, always one to stir the waters when there is a chance to do so, has told the BBC that he thinks David Beckham might find it uncomfortable returning to the Galaxy and Major League Soccer after once again experiencing life at the top of soccer's international dogpile, this time with AC Milan.
The speculation that Becks might not return to Carson was quickly shot down by Beckham's lead spokesman, Simon Oliveira, but Lalas' comments nonetheless make a lot of sense. Here's some of what he said:
"If I was still at the Galaxy, yes, I'd fear it," Lalas said of the possibility that Beckham might opt to stay in Italy.
"He's back in his comfort zone at AC Milan, playing with one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a tremendous amount of talent around him, with incredible money out there on the field, so it must be, in a weird way, a relief to get out there."
Beckham could makes his competitive debut for AC Milan against AS Roma in Rome on Sunday.
Oliveira, meanwhile, shot down the notion that Beckham might stay with the Serie A team, saying: "Whilst we respect Alexi's right to an opinion, he has not been party to any contractual discussions on the loan agreement to Milan."
Beckham will return to the U.S. on March 9, Oliveira said, well in time for the Galaxy's MLS season opener March 22 against DC United in Carson.
Even if he does return, Beckham could feel the effects of a busy winter in Dubai and Italy.
"I hope he does come back rejuvenated," Lalas said, "but I also hope it doesn't catch up with him in the middle of the season if he does come back to MLS. That's a danger and that's something I'd be wary of."
-- Grahame L. Jones
Photo: AC Milan's David Beckham, right, controls the ball as Marcell Jansen tries to close him down during a friendly soccer match between AC Milan and Hamburg SV in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday. Credit: Nousha Salimi / Associated Press
Well..I really hope he stays in Milan. It will do him and everybody, including England, MLS and Galaxy a lot of good. He already done the job of what they require him to do to MLS as a whole. He has raised the profile of the league. He has, indirectly, improving the league. There are a lot of good, decent players playing and still coming into MLS right now. He has helped MLS recognized their flaws in improving themselves into being one of the highest standard leagues. There are a bit considerations for FIFA dates in 2009, which MLS never had before (well..at least they considered it, I hope there will be FULL consideration for ALL of the FIFA dates in the near future), the players salary been raised a bit (I hope it will continue to be raised) and new stadiums, new teams and new sponsors are coming in too. Not to mention the young players development system in MLS and the reserves system has been seriously looked at for more improvement. The world are paying attention (and offers their point or two in between) at how MLS will be developed. And he helped Galaxy realized their flaws too i.e. lacking defenders, decent coaches and good management. He really deserves to retire at the highest level.
Posted by: Moon | January 10, 2009 at 12:48 PM
David Beckham is the one that got me in this sport if he dosent come back ill freak
Posted by: vinnie | January 10, 2009 at 12:53 PM
no offense ment in anyway but the mls is very very weak in comparison to the english,spanish or italian leagues, since beckham went over to galaxy alittle more covarage has been shown here in england and its like watching league 2 football, as they guy said in the first comment beckham deserves to be somewhere big with big name players, 1 man can only do so much and galaxy seem a lost cause. stay at ac milan and retire at the top
Posted by: nick | January 12, 2009 at 09:29 AM