Beckham fever

The national and international media has been full of David Beckham this week. Will he or won't he stay at AC Milan? The debate rages on, but it is clear that if he wants to play in next year's world cup in South Africa, Beckham needs regular football played at the highest level. He will not get this at LA Galaxy, so a move may be on the cards.

When 'Golden Balls' signed for LA Galaxy back in 2007, he tried to persuade the world media that he was not doing it for the money (despite signing a £128 million contract), and rather that he wanted to further the game in the US and establish the league as world brand. This would be David Beckham's legacy to football, and the perfect place to finish off a fine career. Where Pele and George Best had failed, Beckham would succeed and the land of the free would be converted to 'Soccer' lovers.

Of course at the time, it looked like Beckham's England career was well and truly over, with Steve Mclaren banishing the ex-Manchester United player from his squad. This was a massive blow for the former Captain, and the US deal appeared to be make sense against this backdrop. He had also been dropped from the Real Madrid side of course, as the club reacted against his decision to join the Galaxy. However, Beckham forced his way back into the Real side and earned the respect of his then club-boss Fabio Capello, by helping the team to the La Liga title.

Fast forward to 2009, and Beckham is very much part of the Capello-led England set-up, and is on-loan to Italian giants AC Milan. LA Galaxy do not want to lose their man but he has stated his desire to remain at the San Siro on a permanent basis, and so have Milan. Most England fans will hope that he gets his wish. At Milan Beckham has been rejuvanated with his desire to play on for England undiminished. Even at 33, he is still one of England's best players, even if he does not play all of the 90 minutes, and the team may need his experience in South Africa.

The game against Spain saw Beckham earn his 108th cap, equalling Sir Bobby Moore's record as an outfield player. It is unfair to compare the two, but few people can argue about Beckham's passion when playing for his country. This is a rare thing these days, with money in football seemingly by-passing the ideas of patriotism and loyalty. Many players retire earlier from international football than they used to, in order to prolong their club careers. Indeed, Jamie Carragher retired at just 29 allegedly fed up with not being put in the starting line-up often enough.

Some players play better for their country than their club and some do not. Michael Owen and David Beckham did/do, whereas the likes of Carragher, and arguably Steven Gerrard have failed to match their club form when in an England jersey. A cynic could argue that this is all to do with money, but surely modern players are not this shallow? What is certain is that players who do perform well for their countries should be cherished and appreciated. Beckham falls into this category.

The England team that came out of the late 1990s were said to be of the 'Golden Generation', but more often that not they came up short when it mattered. One of the few survivors of this generation still has something to give and perhaps to prove, and wouldn't it be fitting to see him help England to their first ever tournament win since 1966? Fanciful perhaps, particularly considering the two nil loss to a superior Spanish side on Wednesday, but we can all dream.

I can still hear 'Three Lions' being sung at Euro 96, but could it possibly be repackaged for a third time? "DB on the ball, Golden Balls still gleaming!" Just an idea for the lyrics, (if you're reading this Baddiel and Skinner).