[KinicsBonee]

I gotta admit when I opened up this thread I expected to read "who gives a crap it's soccer". Where I haven't seen this in this thread, I gotta ask, who cares? This actually scares me as far as recognized sports here in the states go. I am thinking overpaid baseball players will start with this when they go to negotiate a contract, "Well Beckham got this amount and no one even cares about soccer. I want more."

[Quonuttott]

I doubt many people are going to agree with me here, but I personally cannot stand David Beckham, as he's always doing adverts or something to get in the newspaper. No wonder we never win the World Cup and Euro competitions, and plus he wants to do a reality tv show! He just craves attention 24/7, and it's so annoying.
Also 250 million over 5 years? That's just ludicrious.
I dispise seeing people like him getting paid all this money, while there are people who work much harder in life and aren't utter morons, who get absolutely nothing.
Well that's my grumpy rant over and done with .

[f6HLLFcw]

what does he need 250 million plus for anyway? i mean like yeah, he can split it amongst his family, but after that it still leaves him with like 100 million, which is still too much for one man. and then he gains it all back with all his sponsors (1 million a week). its just wrong. by the way he can add disney to his spokesman list. theres some internet ad going around with him on a flaming horse or something.

oh and by the way i like the new sig domino, but can we make the age 15?

[evarekataVame]

Quote, originally posted by against the wall »
oh and by the way i like the new sig domino, but can we make the age 15?

Hah, yeah, its been my experience that 15 years is old enough to act maturely, and that's reflected on this board, as far as I can see.

[Repwailia]

David Beckham is just a product, and if he can't get the attention to the game then no one can. He's like Like Paris Hilton in a way, merley a product of soccer like Paris is a product of her private parts and SSW (Stupid Spoilt Whores). It's more about people actually caring about soccer in the U.S, win or lose. The publicity alone sourounding his big payout will make people pay a little more attention to soccer, and that will get the advertisers in, and with any luck will generate a worthy team.

[f6HLLFcw]

at least he has SOME talent. IMO Paris has nothing except her inherited money. shes not even that pretty either, and i still cant understand americas fascination with her, or any celeb for that matter.

[monologue]

Becks could turn a match. Anyone remember the free kick against Greece that secured qualification to the 2002 World Cup?
In some games he was the only England player actually playing. His work-rate was astounding and his long passes and free kicks are legendary.
Ok, he's not as young and as fit now and his celebrity status has long overtaken his footballing prowess, but to compare him to that airhead heiress is a joke.

[Heclailia]

So, is he eligible now to play for the US National Team, especially 'cause he isnt playing for England?

[monologue]

It hasn't been unknown, but I think he has to be resident for a few years to qualify.

[Ornamiviant]

I thought once you play for one country you cannot play for a different one in the future. I'm probably wrong, but has this ever happened before?

[beethyday]

Quote, originally posted by Comrade »I thought once you play for one country you cannot play for a different one in the future. I'm probably wrong, but has this ever happened before?
You can but as said above, you have to be a resident for like 5 years (maybe more)

[f6HLLFcw]

i thought the US was 14 years. or something with citizeship is 14 years...

[Repwailia]

Quote, originally posted by against the wall »at least he has SOME talent.
Some talent? Mate, have you even seen him play. Watch some of his games, sure his later ones could be improved but it's 100 million times better than what I could do. He is a genious at this game.

[f6HLLFcw]

sadly the only time ive seen him play was in this years world cup. the US is predominantly anti-soccer-on-tv and we barely get any european games. and i wasnt trying to insult him in my comment, more towards paris. I know hes a great soccer player. I just dont think hes worth 250 million. No one is. Unless they cure cancer or AIDS or something. Or his name is Bill Gates.

[monologue]

A thing is worth what someone will pay for it. Be it a car or a sportsman.

[Heclailia]

Quote, originally posted by against the wall »sadly the only time ive seen him play was in this years world cup. the US is predominantly anti-soccer-on-tv and we barely get any european games.
Thats not true at all, well i guess its true if you dont have the channels, my weekend mornings are completely devoted to soccer. I watch GolTV and Fox Soccer Channel like its my job. They show a LOT of English Premier League on Fox Soccer Channel while GolTV shows Spain, Germany, and Italy

[f6HLLFcw]

i have io. ive never seen a channel devoted to soccer thats in english. if i did i would be glued to it.

[evarekataVame]

Wow... this could be big. I mean I know he's probably past his prime as a player, but he could be the celebrity the MLS needs to really put soccer on the map here in the U.S. Can he do it?
Quote, originally posted by Sports Illustrated »
Coming to America
Beckham will play for MLS' L.A. Galaxy in $250M deal
LONDON (AP) -- David Beckham agreed to a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, leaving the Real Madrid club at which he enjoyed worldwide popularity but experienced disappointment on the field.
Beckham, the former English captain who also starred for Manchester United, will join the Galaxy after his contract with Real Madrid expires on June 30. Los Angeles opens its season April 8 in Houston.
"I am proud to have played for two of the biggest clubs in football and I look forward to the new challenge of growing the world's most popular game in a country that is as passionate about its sport as my own," he said in a statement released Thursday.
The move was announced following the end of talks on extending the 31-year-old English midfielder's contract with the Spanish club. MLS recently changed its rules on salary caps, clearing the way for Beckham to sign a lucrative deal. British news reports put the Galaxy deal at $250 million.
"This week, Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract by a further two seasons," Beckham said in the statement. "After discussing several options with my family and advisers to either stay here at Madrid or join other major British and European clubs, I have decided to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and play in the MLS from August this year."
Beckham has soccer academies in London and Los Angeles. His wife Victoria, a former Spice Girl, was recently photographed househunting in Los Angeles.
"David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally," said Timothy J. Leiweke, president & CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the Galaxy. "David is truly the only individual that can build the bridge between soccer in America and the rest of the world."
Beckham joined Real Madrid in 2003 after a hugely successful run with Manchester United, where he won six league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League title. But Beckham did not win a single major trophy with the Spanish club, and his spell coincided with Madrid's worst slump since the early 1950s.
Real Madrid has had six different coaches and three club presidents during Beckham's stay, but the club has made a fortune -- in part because of the star's position as a cultural icon for soccer fans and non-fans alike, including men, women and children of different ethnic and racial groups.
Beckham's Career Path
Years Club Country
1993-95 Manchester United England
1995 Preston North End* England
1995-03 Manchester United England
2003-07 Real Madrid Spain
2007-?? Los Angeles Galaxy U.S.

* On loan

His marketability was emphasized by the hit movie "Bend It Like Beckham," even as his skills deteriorated with age.
Beckham's contract included a clause in which half his image rights would go to Real Madrid. That helped earn the club millions, allowing the Spanish team to overtake Manchester United as the biggest earner in world soccer.
Beckham led England to the quarterfinals of the World Cup last summer, scoring from a free kick in the second round to beat Ecuador 1-0. But he was taken off the field early in the second half against Portugal with ankle and Achilles tendon injuries, and then watched as his team was eliminated in a penalty shootout.
A day after the game, Beckham stepped down as captain of the team -- a post he had held for 58 of his 94 international appearances. Then, on Aug. 11, England coach Steve McClaren dropped Beckham from the team altogether, signaling the end of his international career.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[Anypeny]

hmm. I thought he was going to retire completely.
Finally, you don't have to go to Europe to watch soccer star. Maybe soon, Ronaldo will get into US soccer team

[Heclailia]

Beautiful. When they play the Red Bulls, I'll definately go see them. I really want to go see a real soccer game, like in Europe.