Posts Tagged ‘football’

[lang_en]David Beckham insists this has everything to do with soccer and nothing to do with fashion and celebrity.

The 33-year-old midfielder also acknowledged on Saturday that playing for AC Milan on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy is a gamble.

Beckham, a former star for Manchester United and Real Madrid, said the move fulfills his dream of playing with a top Italian team and his goal of staying in shape during the MLS offseason in an attempt to keep a spot on England’s team.

“I wouldn’t take this opportunity if I didn’t think that I could help the team and help the club,” Beckham said during his introductory news conference at San Siro Stadium. “There are some great players out there. I don’t expect to be starting on the first day because it doesn’t happen that way.”

England coach Fabio Capello has said it is not enough for Beckham to train with AC Milan — he must also play to be considered for the national team.

“That is exactly the right thing a manager should do,” Beckham said. “If any player is not playing in a team or playing at a top level, then playing at an international level is virtually impossible.”

Beckham is bringing plenty of celebrity buzz with him to Italy. He is married to fashion icon Victoria Beckham and the player himself has done underwear ads for the Milanese designer Armani. Beckham said Milan’s status as a fashion capital did not enter into his decision.[/lang_en] (more…)

[lang_es]El entrenador del AC Milan, Carlos Ancelotti, afirmó que la llegada de David Beckham es muy importante, luego que el equipo sufriera una derrota contra el Juventus (4-2) en el Estadio Olimpico de Turin.

Con el mediocampista Rino Gattuso fuera de juego hasta el próximo abril debido a su problema en sus ligamentos, Beckham no podría ser más requerido para rescatar al equipo. El ex capitan inglés, 33, será presentado oficialmente en el estadio San Siro la próxima semana al comienzo de su préstamos del LA Galaxy.

La prensa italiana comenta que David y su esposa Victoria se hospedarán en una costosa suite penthouse del lujoso hotel Chedi, cerca del estadio. El precio de la suite es de 1000 Libras esterlinas la noche.

Beckham podría unirse al equipo del brasileño Thiago Silva, quien voló hacia Milan ayer para arreglar una transferencia.[/lang_es][lang_en]By Nick Pisa

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said David Beckham’s imminent arrival ‘was even more important’ after a rampant Juventus beat them 4-2 in Turin’s rain-lashed Olympic Stadium.

With midfield dynamo Rino Gattuso out injured until April, Beckham cannot ride to the rescue soon enough. The 33-year-old former England captain is due to be officially unveiled at the San Siro stadium next week at the start of his loan from LA Galaxy.

The Italian media say he and wife Victoria will stay in a £1,000-a-night penthouse suite at the luxury Chedi Hotel, close to the stadium.

Beckham could find himself joined on the newboys’ roster by Brazilian Thiago Silva, who flew to Milan yesterday to discuss a move.

The 24-year-old Fluminense centre back had been linked with Chelsea, but yesterday’s development suggests his next port of call is Italy.

The imminent arrivals will brighten the picture for Milan, who saw Kaka and Arsenal old boy Mathieu Flamini injured yesterday as Clarence Seedorf made his 300th Serie A appearance.

Juventus, with Manchester City target Gianluigi Buffon again an injury absentee, were 3-1 up by half-time through Alessandro del Piero, Giorgio Chiellini and Amauri, with Alexandre Pato replying for Milan.

A second Amauri goal settled the issue after Massimo Ambrosini had briefly given the visitors hope.[/lang_en]