DAVID BECKHAM'S LA NIGHTMARE
DAVID BECKHAM'S US club have warned AC Milan: Cough up £18million or send him back.
The Italians have offered £2.5m to make Becks' loan permanent but LA Galaxy boss Tim Leiweke blasted: "It has been rejected."
Beckham wants to walk away from his £200million, five-year contract with LA Galaxy after only 18 months to stay at AC Milan, where's he's on loan.
At stake, he thinks, are his England place and his chances of making it to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
But millions are in balance for the American club, which is why Galaxy chief Tim Leiweke has dismissed Milan's £2.5m bid and ordered Beckham back to LA on March 9.
Leiweke snapped: "We need to end the distractions, the circus and the zoo. We just received an offer (from Milan) and it was rejected. We have also made it clear to Milan that we expect David back here March 9. They agree and understand we own the contract."
And in an obvious dig at Beckham, he added: "If David ultimately has a hunger and a desire to come help us make the impact on the pitch that we wanted to make with him - but haven't done yet - then he's an important member of this team and our intention is to bring him back."
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Leiweke is clearly questioning not just Beckham's contribution to the club so far but his commitment to the cause in the future. And that's why, for all his brave words, he may well decide Beckham's just not worth the time or investment.
This is the same Leiweke who once predicted: "David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally."
Just imagine how he feels now. Rest assured Milan won't get their man easily or on the cheap. Leiweke explained: "Milan understand the only way we do this is if the Galaxy benefits.
"If David's in a position where he wants to finish the season in Milan, and Milan compensate the Galaxy so that we can suffer no damages to our fans or to our team, then we'll take a look at it.
Knockdown
"We understand Beckham's infatuation with playing on the world's most popular club team right now.
"And we understand his trying to mentally get around the idea of coming back to play with a team that didn't make the play-offs in MLS last year.
"So David and us actually are talking. But this is not a legal conversation and has never been a legal conversation. David has made it very clear that if our decision is to bring him back here, he will return. Period."
Beckham still has two other options. He can immediately buy out his Galaxy contract for £18m or he could trigger a release clause which would allow him to leave in November for a knockdown fee.
So the smart money must be on this being the end of Beckham's not so great American Adventure - but at what cost to his all-important image and reputation as football's golden boy?
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This article has 45 comments
can you do thi for me,
By name.. Posted July 30 2009 at 12:58 PM.
Stop trashing the MLS. Ten years ago you would have had a heard time finding a dozen schools with a soccer team. Today there are hundreds and when these kids improve their skills the MLS will improve. I read that the number of foreign-born players in the Prenmier League is close to thirty percent, and includes many American and Canadian players. Where are all the British kids? Give us 10/15 more years and we will be in the top 10 for the World Cup.
By Bud Boyle.. Posted March 1 2009 at 1:06 AM.
Phil Barber you waffle on!!!
David Beckham has saved England's skin on so many occasions I have lost count.
Apart from the fact that he sets an example that many other players could do well to follow.
His move to LA Galaxy may be a mistake but who can blame him for wanting to continue his England career, any player with half his ability would want to do the same if they could get picked.
Jordan
By Jordan .. Posted February 25 2009 at 8:39 PM.
I think he was way overpaid to come to the MLS. Then the league charged extra for matches that he wasn't in playing in. I was lucky and got hooked up from a friend, but still no Beckham due to injury. The whole thing was a marketing ploy. Just as this this is playing out. Beckham will leave LA in the next few days. It was all planned out long before.
By Danno.. Posted February 23 2009 at 6:16 AM.
While i think that Beckham is incredibly over-rated, and that he's way past his prime, I think it is wrong to take a player who is succeeding in a club and take him right out. i understand that he still has a few more years on his contract, and in normal circumstances i would want him to complete his contract, but the fact that the Galaxy is not only keeping him from playing with A.C., but from England i feel that is unfair. Although Beckham should have known the consequences before jumping in with Galaxy
By Ian McDade.. Posted February 17 2009 at 8:40 PM.
Lets be honest, how many people had actually heard of the mls before beckham played there? hes done his job and raised its profile. let him go.
By James Wilson.. Posted February 12 2009 at 9:24 PM.
I believe Beckham to be the most over rated player of his generation, who's not been worth his England place for four years or more.
Whatever the standard of MLS he signed a contract and should be made to honour it.
To say he has 108 England caps devalues everything that the names of Moore, Ball and Banks stand for. I blame successive England managers for perpetuating the myth particularly Erickson who actually said in public that "I will never drop my captain" My question is, why not?
Between Greece and Paraguay it was four years between goals from free kicks and for a player who contributes nothing else this is a disgraceful record.
I feel like the little boy in that fairy tale The Kings New Clothes. Surely I'm not the only one who can see through Beckham. Even against Spain I counted only two worthwhile passes during his time on the pitch and as usual he spent the whole time in his own half and made very little contribution whilst being hailed as a hero by members of the toadying press and media.
Bobby Moore must be turning in his grave.
By Phil Barber.. Posted February 12 2009 at 6:11 PM.
hope he doesn't go back to the L.A. galaxy he sure us hell not worth 200 million dollars and is not even worth a 18 million either , and most of time he was in LA he was injured anyway. I hope he goes to Italy and leaves us who live in southern Cali myself included the hell alone and stop taking our money !
By lola b .. Posted February 11 2009 at 11:11 AM.
Beckham all of a sudden is doing very well with Milan. He was no better than average with the Galaxy. He was maybe the 25th best midfielder in MLS last season.
Could it be that MLS is a much better league than everybody thinks?
By Fred.. Posted February 11 2009 at 1:42 AM.
This is the thing though, all you idiots there saying oh beckham needs to go play for real team. Forget that!!!! Goldenballs was suppose to be the x factor for that the galaxy which i never liked. I dont care who you put him playing with. The crew had ok players but you know who made the difference was schelotto. What about New york. Angel. What about chicago. Blanco. All these players DP's made a bigger impact then beckham. And he gets more money. NOw in milan he is playing with a bunch of super stars that are lethal scoring goals. So now everytime he sends a ball in the area and a goal comes out of it...he gets all he attention like when he had those two assists. Man... F that. If he is such a great player he it should have shown in LA.
By Serg.. Posted February 10 2009 at 7:02 AM.
David Beckham owes LA Galaxy nothing! He has already paid for himself in increased shirt sales and viewing figures.Why is it such a big deal that he wants to move on?It happens in European football all the time.I can't remember anyone making such a fuss when Wayne Rooney left Everton for Manchester United.And anyone believes that LA Galaxy is anywhere near as good as Manchester United,Real Madrid or AC Milan is obviously severely deluded and in need of stonger medication!
By Rita Cocking.. Posted February 9 2009 at 7:54 PM.
Man, the abject lack of any knowledge whatsoever about Major League Soccer among these posts is as appalling (and unsurprising) as the baseless arrogance many of them contain. MLS may not be great shakes, but it's ours -- and it's pretty damned decent for a teen-aged league, thank you very much! Last time I checked, the mighty mighty Premiership, your 130-year head start on us benighted Yanks, and the obscene billions of quid you lot blow on your players haven't bought you people another World Cup title, so until the English can get a clue and fix their own broken footy wagon, they have no business criticizing anyone else's!
By Shee-kaw-go!.. Posted February 9 2009 at 7:23 PM.
I was not surprised when DB went to the Galaxy. His playing days at the high level looked over. He went for the 'tinsel town' glamor and money. The bottom line is he went there and signed a contract. The Galaxy put a plan together which was built around DB. He signed a contract. He should honor that contract or buy his way out. If it was the other way around don't you think he would have the lawyers knocking on the doors of the Galaxy
By Man U Fan.. Posted February 9 2009 at 2:41 PM.
I was disgusted at a remark Goldenballs made regarding the Kaka saga. He was quoted as saying,Kaka will not sign for Man. City as players want to play for the best clubs and it not about money! What a bloody hypocrite!
Leo
By Leo Connell.. Posted February 9 2009 at 3:13 AM.
hasn't he already made the galaxy millions in merchandizing alone? id say 2 mil is reasonable. they have made ten fold on the back of who he is and that was even before he got there.
By tegaclan.. Posted February 9 2009 at 3:25 AM.
LA Galaxy are a joke, but not for their lack of skills, it's their lack of football knowledge. What did they think DB was going to do for them at £25 million a season? Did they think he was Maradona and Pele rolled into one 'David Peledona'. LA got stuffed by the money grabbing Beckham brand
By ricky broomfield.. Posted February 9 2009 at 1:14 AM.
beckham only went to the u.s. for the money has he wanted a easy ride, now cappello has said no you cant play for england if you play for sunday lge side ,now he wants to turn his back on them if i where galaxy id order him back if he doesnt return id sue the asre of him big time for breach of contract
By kev.. Posted February 8 2009 at 9:43 PM.
As a diehard Liverpool fan it sticks in my throat to say " I like DB " but in years to come when David writes his autobiography his chapter on moving to LA Galaxy he will own up and say the move was a mistake .
His loan spell at AC Milan has proved to get the best out of " Brand Becks " he has to be playing with players of a high standard and not the dross he was with in LaLa land .
He doesnt need the money but he does need to play quality football and every English football fan can see he will do anything to contribute to the England team .
The only way he can do that is to say TaTar to LaLar Gallaxy.
Live the dream Becksie lad and move on .....
By Cudds Cullen.. Posted February 8 2009 at 10:24 PM.
Galaxy fans are clamoring for a refund if Beckham doesn't return. Some are withholding their payments to the team until this mess is sorted out.
The team is now sending out letters threatening fans who don't pay up ASAP.
Beckham is totally to blame for all of this!
By Jim Wilson.. Posted February 8 2009 at 5:49 PM.
I can't believe that Adam is niave enough to think that David Beckham could "build "the MLS all by himself.Who does he think he is,Superman? Besides,it's not as if he were the only player to make a move,and the realise that he has made a mistake,and then move on,is he?He would not only be sacrificing his England career but the very unique opportunity to be the first player to win league titles in three diferent countries.Besides,if the MLS had been sincere about wanting to put American "soccer" on the map the they should have thought bigger.Rather then just relying on David Beckham,they should have sought to bring in other big name players to play alongside Beckham,and to give him the quality of football that he was used to.They should have been trying to sign players like Iker Casillas,Sergio Ramos,Steven Gerrard,Ronaldo,Frank Lampard and John Terry.The fact that they did not leads me to one conclusion.They just wanted to exploit David Beckham for his commercial value and did not give two figs for the effect that this would have ,not just on his football career,but on his credibility,signing for the Galaxy has made him a laughing stock in the eyes of the footballing world,It's not as if they even looked after him properly,they very nearly ruined his career by allowing him to pay when he was still carrying an ankle injury he sustained while on England duty.And then you wonder why Sepp Blatter calls footballers slaves?
By Rita Cocking.. Posted February 8 2009 at 6:07 PM.
how dare he thinks that the footballing world owes him a favor just because he scored a goal wow! just 4 this he thinks ac milan should buy him. please donot be fooled by these 2 disgusting ego sticks. i just cannot stand he and his wife, he went to the u.s to just to be more famous than they already r and now that the american people clocked on to the fact that they dont have talent, they want to come back here to get on our nerves again. this is a guy who if someone scores for england he jumps right on their backs to get that picture of himself in the papers, fooling people that he scored the goal. i just cant wait to see how the americans are going to take this, because you know they dont like rejection.
By karon dasilva-sakyiamah.. Posted February 8 2009 at 6:30 PM.
Becks you are the master of your own destiny. All the chumps on this site making negative remarks are simply people who do not believe in adventure. They simply stay in one place and lack the adventure or imagination to try something new. It is obvious you were influenced by the one you love. Your wife! People are not open minded enough to understand. The same people hated you when you got sent off in the World cup against Argentina. Then the hypocrites loved you when you helped put England through with your special free kick. Most are only jealous and probably have never enjoyed any kind of success in anything. Follow your dreams, follow your passion as the most important persons are you and your family. Name one person we support who has any degree of success overseas. In the UK we are reknowned for not supporting our own. It is in out nature to support the under dog like Eddy the Eagle and Frank Bruno. You are the second highest paid sports star and the most famous sports star in the world. That represents some degree of success. You are proud to be British and proud to represent your country and a great father to your kids. Your future is in your own hands. Last resort is you can always buy yourself out of your MLS contract to prolong your playing days at top level.
By Max love.. Posted February 8 2009 at 3:14 PM.
I have been living in the US for nine months now and lived in manchester all my life before hand, the MLS league here would be on par with maybe championship or league one level, unfortunately for Becks he chose the glamour of LA rather than a team with any kind of footballing skills or level of play he was expecting, he played poorly for a poor team and he truly wanted to raise the profile of the game here and play half decent football he would have chose another club
Hes just proved what a complete sell out he is, its very frustrating listening to MLS being called a mickey mouse league...every league starts somewhere dont forget the league here is only 12/13 years old and plays 5th rank to the other major sports for here
What becks managed to do was raise the profile and get people into stadiums watching games and hopefully when becks goes (the sooner the better) the hype will calm down and there may still be decent crowds at the games.I will be glad when the Beckham circus is over with
By Emma.. Posted February 8 2009 at 2:30 PM.
Beckham`s just a selfish, gready, spoilt little boy..as was seen when he was at United.The only thing that`s important to him is money and himself.
Give me Ryan Giggs any day ! How many medals does Beckham have, and how much respect?
..."Not a lot, if any"
One day he may grow up and be true to his word....but don`t hold you breath !!
By geoff.. Posted February 8 2009 at 1:17 PM.
Len Youre comment about the mls is totally untrue.As a brit living in toronto i go see TFC for all there home games.I can assure you this SOCCER is totally inferior to anything played in the UK.
As for Becks he made a mistake coming to this league fair and square.People say he isnt anything special in the league,but you can only play with what is put in front of you right? If players cant read where he is going to put the ball or make runs to help what can you do!!!!!
By Steve.. Posted February 8 2009 at 1:19 PM.
Oh Becks what went wrong ?? You were to be the one who introduced Football to the Yanks, instead you tottered around thinking you were some Movie Star whilst your wife went around thinking she had class. At least you gave the yanks a laugh .What a pair of plonkers
By Sandie.. Posted February 8 2009 at 1:06 PM.
Beckham souled his soul for money and a celebrity status when he married posh. He went to America for money and he also wanted to play for England and prepare for the 2010 world cup but playing for a third rate team outside of europe meant that he couln't do both and now he realises that. he has forgotten all those promises he made to Galaxy, so what is it that he really wants, fame, fortune or helping England to the world cup. If he really does want the latter he will pay up his own contract and then maybe he will be respected again but I very much dobt it
By peter.. Posted February 8 2009 at 12:47 PM.
who cares where he goes as long as him and his fake wife don't come back here!!!!!
By nicole .. Posted February 8 2009 at 11:59 AM.
Horse for courses.
If he wants to leave then so be it, buy yourself from the contract son. dont put LA and Milan into a difficult situation because in the end all he willd o is upset himself returning to a club he doesnt want to be.
Nothing against MLS, i couldnt care less if its the best or worst soccer league in the world.
Simple point being, if he wants stay then its in HIS hands. not Milan or LA.
By Ian Bergin.. Posted February 8 2009 at 12:07 PM.
LA Galaxy should take him/AC Milan for as much as they can - he wanted to go and play there so should suffer any concequenses
By Laura.. Posted February 8 2009 at 11:50 AM.
becks had no say in it,his missus wanted to get into movies and have "celebrity friends".In the uk everyone was sick of seeing them everywhere .Now he is playing for a "good pub team"in the US,his playing credibility is over in europe.He ought to have taken notice of his dad,not poshes croonies
By paul.. Posted February 8 2009 at 11:09 AM.
I went to see Becks play for LA Galaxy last summer. The team as a whole is awful compared to others in the league, and it was clear to see how frustrated David was getting with the players around him not being able to string decent passes together. So I am in no way surprised he now wants to leave for good. But I have no sympathy for him because he knew what he was getting himself into and went for the fame and money. Now he's realised that that wasn't enough, but tough, he should go back and honour his contract. As poor a game of football it was the atmosphere was amazing and by far the most enjoyable match I have ever been to. A proper family event unlike games over here. And the galaxy fans worshipped him. They deserve better than he is giving them.
By Liz.. Posted February 8 2009 at 10:29 AM.
Well if he is that desperate to leave and be part of the world cup team why doesnt he just fork the money out of his own pocket, I am sure he has the change which is £18million.
By Alex.. Posted February 8 2009 at 10:29 AM.
money,money,money
By tam.. Posted February 8 2009 at 9:05 AM.
He knows how much he mucked up when he was captain Mmmmm training or world cup party we all know which one he choose and what happened. He has had is chance and he blew it.
By Jennie.. Posted February 8 2009 at 8:49 AM.
we all know bighead beckham loves the glamour and only greed took him to the U.S he is no bigshot there just another hasbeen well done alex for selling when you did and david dont come back to the UKwe dont want you or your wife the stick insect
By PATSY.. Posted February 8 2009 at 8:09 AM.
The LA Galaxy and Beckham are both joke, but the MLS isn't a joke. Most of you folks over there in the UK tend to think only of LA Galaxy when thinking of MLS, when in fact there are much better quality clubs in the league over here that very competitive. The Galaxy couldn't even play on the same pitch with clubs in the MLS like, Columbus Crew the league champs, New York Red Bulls 2nd to the champs, Chicago Fire, New England Revolution, Houston Dynamo, KC Wizards and the winningest club in the league DC United. Say what you want about Beckham and the LA Galaxy, but please don't compare the MLS to the LA Galaxy!
By Len.. Posted February 8 2009 at 5:23 AM.
All this talk of The Galaxy being a joke, substandard team is irrelevant.
He joined them for the money, knowing exactly what they were. Knowing that they were not going to further his chances with the English national team.
He cannot expect to leave at will without consequences. They paid a lot of money and are entitled to recoup.
Too many footballers forgetting that they are just that.... footballers. Not brain surgeons or planet-savers.
By Left Foot.. Posted February 8 2009 at 2:25 AM.
If Mr Beckham was to leave La Galaxy he should buy out his own contract, as I am sure he can easily afford to do so.
So much for wanting to promote 'soccer' in the USA!
It looks as if either the Americans are not interested in Brand Beckham & the Beckham Circus, or maybe he has finally realised that his football career is far more important than showbusiness!
By Syntax Error.. Posted February 8 2009 at 2:49 AM.
If beckham wants to stay with Milan so much, he should buy himself out of his Galaxy contract
By Colin.. Posted February 8 2009 at 4:04 AM.
it is all the fault of his fame hungry wife who'd rather pretend to be best of friends with so called A list american stars instead of focusing on what has made her remain 'famous' - david football skills. I really don't understand how anyone will build FAKE friendship in other to be accepted and she knows she is talentless hence the reason to hang around showbiz personalities to pretend otherwise. Your cover has been blown posh, david ain't having it anymore. He is a footballer not a hollywood star.
By egg.. Posted February 8 2009 at 1:32 AM.
The league is not a joke. It has accomplished a lot in the 13 years that is has been in existance. It may not the quality of La Liga or BPL but is not bad. It will only get better as the leage grows and generates more revenue to atract talent.
There are some good American players that are getting picked up by some top clubs in the world. Over 10 years ago this would have been unheard of.
20 years ago, the Americans couldn't even qualify for the World Cup. Little by little the American game is improving. Just like European basketball is much higher quality campared to the NBA years ago.
The league is has a smart business model and is in it for the long run. How many teams in Europe are losing money because of the insanely high salaries they are willing to play a single player?
MLS may not be world class now but it is moving in the right direction and in about 5 - 10 years from now could be a much higer calibre product.
By Greg.. Posted February 8 2009 at 1:01 AM.
Ahem. . you all seem to have a very short memory.
When he signed with Los Angeles, everyone was considering his career over. They thought he was done with England, and that he was just coming over to rake in that last bit of cash before retiring.
Oh, then he won Madrid a championship and started playing his balls off for an otherwise mediocre England squad.
On our (the US) side, Los Angeles was, if nothing else, one of the most successful teams in MLS. Not saying much on teh world stage, I realize, but at least within our small league, we had that respect. Becks was SUPPOSED to come over and "build our game". Not make us a world contender, but at least give our league an increased footing in the extremely saturated sports market in the US (NFL, Baseball, Basketball, hockey, tennis, racing. . )
Since Becks has shown up, our team has been a joke. If he wants to sell his soul to play with Milan, fine. But considering the pain we've gone through to get him here, they can at least fork over the cash.
You may think LA, and the MLS is a joke - but AEG, the company that owns LA, isn't. It's one of the most powerful and wealthy companies in sports today. They build stadiums for breakfast. They won't just let Milan and Becks walk away without getting something in return.
By Adam.. Posted February 8 2009 at 12:54 AM.
I'm not surprised he wants to leave the MLS, the league is a joke. The yanks need their heads examining if they think he is worth 18m though. During his short term loan at AC Milan, the form, style of play and spirit within the squad has improved and I hope he stays with them until at least the end of the season.
By Greg.. Posted February 8 2009 at 12:18 AM.
Im surprised that Becks went to The Galaxy's. What in hells bells was this quality player doing in a second rate pub team. It was a degrading move and his passion for football was overrode by greed for money. Now he realises the passion isnt always about the millions!!!Get back to where you belong, with calibre and proffession...
By Tania.. Posted February 8 2009 at 12:13 AM.