23: Repent

Los Angeles, the home of Hollywood actors and filthy rich politicians, will be always be seen as a destination of jealously, but for one man, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Since his early career, David Beckham has been a ’Red Tops’ best friend; the spice girl marriage, the world cup strop and even the sarong have hit our headlines in recent years.

The English midfielder found himself heckled and booed during LA Galaxy’s 2-2 draw against, ironically, AC Milan yesterday. With Beckham missing the first half of the Major League Soccer season because he was engaged with the Serie A giants, it isn’t surprising that the American fans gave the 34 year old such a negative reception, with abusive banners visible all around the ground.

In the past, players have retreated to the sunny shores of the USA, when, to be honest, their career has been all but done. Pele, George Best and Bobby Moore are just a short list of players that have departed their home lands for the mediocre style of football that is played over the Atlantic Ocean.

Did Beckham venture to the United States to play ‘soccer’ because he thought the end was nigh, or was it just step in the worldwide Beckham domination brand. Since the dead ball expert’s international career has plummeted, making the former Manchester United player’s appearances in an England shirt seem more a publicity stunt than a genuine appearance.

With Beckham chugging along to break each capped landmark, slowly narrowing the gap that the great Peter Shilton set, he looked happy enough to see his career out at Galaxy, but a certain Italian maestro has made it clear he WILL be a part of South Africa 2010 if he can prove his fitness, and that isn’t going to happen in the MLS.

A short loan period with AC Milan had boosted his fitness levels to the expectations that Capello was seeking. But now the ex Real Madrid player must leave Hollywood Boulevard if he is to make the world tournament for fourth time in his career. But where next for the footballer, turned celebrity, turned footballer as he continues to seek a secure home, after the last year of chaos.

Although Beckham declared he would never play in the Premier League again, it looks as if this must be the destination of requirement to maintain the fitness levels compulsory to wear the three lions on his chest. It seems highly unlikely that Alex Ferguson would take on board a second so called ‘has been’ this season, with Tottenham rumoured to have declared an interest.

Injury and a recent bust up with team captain Landon Donovan just gives Beckham more of a reason to make the move back home. World cup just wouldn’t be the same without Beckham in the squad as I can imagine many others think the same.