David Beckham Signs With MLSIf you weren't living under a rock, or dead, you might know now that International Soccer Super-Star David Beckham signed a 5 year contract with the L.A. Galaxy in Major League Soccer worth approximately 250 million dollars (after endorsements) to begin as soon as his contract ends with Real Madrid in July. Now the uproar has already been huge, with critics lambasting this as foolish since they claim his best soccer days are behind, Real Madrid's Club President said no "top" level teams wanted him, and it's been suggested that this has more to do with Beckham and Posh wanting to live in L.A. amongst their celebrity friends, like Tom Cruise. Supporters of this huge event (because support or detract, you can't deny it's huge) argue that Beckham's international appeal will turn the spotlight on MLS in a way that will increase its visibility and credibility both at home and abroad, tickets will sell more and players will make more money, the quality of play will rise since he's a former World Cup Team Captain and Manchester United EPL Champion, and Champion's League Winner, and that other top-notch world players will follow his lead and make the move to the United States.
Now...where does The James fit into this huge controversy? I'm a huge International Soccer fan, and watch the EPL, Champion's League, MLS and even Italian Serie A avidly. I thin
k Beckham was a hell of a player, and proved that with his career. He played for Manchester United and Real Madrid, won the highest Club Championships that one can win, and was Team Captain for England for 5 years or so. After the '06 World Cup, and Sven Erikkson was fired as England's Coach, Beckham was asked to step down as Captain, and then left off the squad for their next International matches. I for one am not ready to write off the man when he's only 31, and think England will miss one of the most brilliant passers and set-piece experts I've ever seen. We all watched Zidanne work magic at 36, and Figo was still unbelievable to his mid-thirties, so it's not the age. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt, hope he still wants to play, and anything...ANYTHING that gets people talking about MLS is a good thing. As far as the questions surrounding his motivation to make the move...well, I think the President of Real Madrid sounded like a jilted lover. They tried to sign Beckham to a 1 or 2 year deal, so THEY WANTED him, but then didn't want to give Beckham a starting position. How can anyone blame him for taking the highest offer, and a guarranteed start? As far as other European clubs, I don't see the man going back to EPL when he already played for years on Manchester United, the regular top team, and then go on to play for a team further down the table (Although that might have been cool if he went to Chelsea). I think he's smart to take the offer, and hope he retires after his contract to buy an interest in a team. I don't see him as an actor with that panzie voice of his, but that's my opinon. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens, but I for one am down for watching MLS next season.
k Beckham was a hell of a player, and proved that with his career. He played for Manchester United and Real Madrid, won the highest Club Championships that one can win, and was Team Captain for England for 5 years or so. After the '06 World Cup, and Sven Erikkson was fired as England's Coach, Beckham was asked to step down as Captain, and then left off the squad for their next International matches. I for one am not ready to write off the man when he's only 31, and think England will miss one of the most brilliant passers and set-piece experts I've ever seen. We all watched Zidanne work magic at 36, and Figo was still unbelievable to his mid-thirties, so it's not the age. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt, hope he still wants to play, and anything...ANYTHING that gets people talking about MLS is a good thing. As far as the questions surrounding his motivation to make the move...well, I think the President of Real Madrid sounded like a jilted lover. They tried to sign Beckham to a 1 or 2 year deal, so THEY WANTED him, but then didn't want to give Beckham a starting position. How can anyone blame him for taking the highest offer, and a guarranteed start? As far as other European clubs, I don't see the man going back to EPL when he already played for years on Manchester United, the regular top team, and then go on to play for a team further down the table (Although that might have been cool if he went to Chelsea). I think he's smart to take the offer, and hope he retires after his contract to buy an interest in a team. I don't see him as an actor with that panzie voice of his, but that's my opinon. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens, but I for one am down for watching MLS next season.
posted by The James at 4:33 PM
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