LONDON " Now wearing AC Milan colors and surrounded by some of the biggest names in soccer, David Beckham begins a new chapter Tuesday when he plays for the seven-time European champion in an exhibition game against Hamburg in the United Arab Emirates.
On loan until March from the Los Angeles Galaxy, Beckham also will be playing in the Italian league Sunday and for the next few weeks will be passing to such teammates as Ronaldinho, Kaka, Andriy Shevchenko, Paolo Maldini, Clarence Seedorf, Andrea Pirlo, Alessandro Nesta, Pato, Filippo Inzaghi and Dida.
After three months with these stars, he will go back to the U.S. to play alongside Edson Buddle, Alan Gordon, Bryan Jordan, Michael Gavin, Mike Munoz, Troy Roberts, Greg Vanney and Steve Cronin when Major League Soccer starts again.
While these may be names to Galaxy fans, it's like swapping vintage wine for luke-warm beer in terms of the quality of soccer.
When Beckham returns to the Home Depot Center after sampling San Siro Stadium, he may take a long, hard look at where his career stands.
At 33, the England midfielder is approaching the twilight of what has been a long and hugely successful life as a player and fashion icon.
He still has the ability to dominate games in MLS, a league that would be considered second tier at best in England, Italy, Spain or Germany. But the Galaxy have flopped twice in his two seasons so far and his short spell in Italy may well give Beckham a major clue as to whether he can still play at the highest level in Europe.
"I have never played in Italy and I think it's one of the best leagues in the world," the former Manchester United and Real Madrid said while training with Milan in Dubai. "I want to concentrate on working with the team. I know the kind of team Milan is, the professionalism that exists and I am willing to work really hard for my place in the squad."
With such an array of talent, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti can't guarantee Beckham many starts. That means the Galaxy star will have few opportunities to persuade England coach Fabio Capello " coincidentally a former Milan coach " to select him for the exhibition against Spain in Seville on Feb. 11.
If Beckham plays against the European champion, he will tie Bobby Moore's record 108 appearances for an England player, other than a goalkeeper. But Capello has made it clear he won't pick him purely on sentiment and Beckham will have to show him he is fully fit and back to his best form.
Although England has won all four of its qualifying games for the 2010 World Cup, Beckham's contribution in each match has been as a late substitute. That means he remains in Capello's plans but not as a starter and younger players are in effect nudging him slowly toward international retirement.
Beckham is contracted to go back to the Galaxy, but the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport said Monday he has a clause in his deal that he can leave the club at the end of the year, his third in MLS.
"I always try to have no regrets in life, or in my career. I made the decision to go to LA two years ago and I've had a good time there," he said. "Now I have this chance to play for one of the biggest clubs in the whole world. I'm enjoying my time with the club and the fans are just great."
If Beckham produces his trademark free kicks " provided Ronaldinho, Pirlo and Milan's other free kick specialists let him have the ball " and sprays his accurate long passes around the field, he could be a big hit with the Milan players and fans, especially if the team makes up ground on Inter Milan in the Serie A title race.
But if Beckham is just one of a team full of stars at Milan, he may well return to MLS after a brief taste of Serie A and stuck on 107 England appearances.
Despite his noble aim to try to lift the profile of the game in the U.S., Beckham might not have the same fire on his return to the Galaxy that he had when he joined the team two years ago. A few weeks with the big stars of San Siro might cool his enthusiasm for MLS.
"I love my team, the Los Angeles Galaxy," he said. "But this is a great experience. I feel fortunate to have this great chance."
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