USA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - David Beckham defends his professionalism ahead of his first game with the L.A. Galaxy this season

Record ID: 189946

  • Title: USA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - David Beckham defends his professionalism ahead of his first game with the L.A. Galaxy this season
  • Date: 16th July 2009
  • Summary: HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES (JULY 15, 2009) (REUTERS) SOCCER PLAYER DAVID BECKHAM AND L.A. GALAXY GENERAL MANAGER AND HEAD COACH BRUCE ARENA WALKING IN TO NEWS CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) DAVID BECKHAM, SOCCER PLAYER, SAYING: "What I'm saying about my commitment is I'm an honest person, if I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't. I'm a very honest person and I've always been committed to every contract that I've had as a soccer player -- Manchester United, Real Madrid, Galaxy, and that doesn't change. I am very committed person. If people want to question my professionalism and also my commitment, then what I will say about that is that the fact that I do want to travel thousands of miles to play for my country, I think says it all. Whenever I'm called up for a squad with my country, I will turn up, it doesn't matter. I've always done the same throughout my whole career." CARSON, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (RECENT - JULY 13, 2009) (REUTERS) BECKHAM ON THE FIELD, PRACTICING WITH MEMBERS OF LA GALAXY L.A. GALAXY PLAYERS INCLUDING LANDON DONOVAN PAN FROM BECKHAM'S ICED ANKLE TO HIM DONOVAN STRETCHING
  • Embargoed: 31st July 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA3K1DK17MCAPZA1L48OMVUCH4N
  • Story Text: England midfielder David Beckham vigorously defended his professionalism against criticism from those who contend that he has spread himself too thin between his commitments in the United States and Europe.
    Ahead of his first game with the L.A. Galaxy this season, soccer player David Beckham, vigorously defended his reputation as a professional in the face of criticism that he might be spreading himself too thin between his soccer commitments in Europe and the United States.
    Beckham made his defense at a news conference in Hoboken, New Jersey on Wednesday (July 15), just a day before he plays with the L.A. Galaxy against the Red Bull New York at Giants Stadium.
    The former England skipper had upset many in L.A. with his decision to extend his loan spell with Italian club AC Milan and miss the first half of the Major League Soccer season in the U.S. His team-mate Landon Donovan strongly criticized Beckham in excerpts of the recently released book "The Beckham Experiment" saying he was a bad team mate and an unsuitable captain. Beckham in turn hit back by calling Donovan "unprofessional" for airing his feelings in the media.
    But after returning to the U.S., Beckham told reporters on Monday (July 13) in California as well as in New Jersey on Wednesday (July 15) that he had met with Donovan and L.A. Galaxy club coach Bruce Arena to clear up matters.
    "Landon apologized and I told him my view on things. It's forgot about. It's important, we're both men. We don't take it on to the field cause that's when it will disrupt us as a club and as a team. And now we go and we play our soccer. So, that's the most important thing now," Beckham told reporters.
    Donovan regained the captain's armband after the Englishman's move to Italy and will retain the post -- something Beckham claims he has no problem with. The player addressed many reporters' questions about his professionalism and ability to smoothly juggle his schedule between playing in Europe and the United States. He insisted that his commitment to the LA Galaxy was sincere and solid.
    "If I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't. I'm a very honest person and I've always been committed to every contract that I've had as a soccer player -- Manchester United, Real Madrid, Galaxy, and that doesn't change. I am very committed person. If people want to question my professionalism and also my commitment, then what I will say about that is that the fact that I do want to travel thousands of miles to play for my country, I think says it all. Whenever I'm called up for a squad with my country, I will turn up, it doesn't matter. I've always done the same throughout my whole career," said Beckham.
    The 34-year-old reiterated his intention to see out the remaining two years of his contract with the Galaxy, while also doing what he could to continue to play for England.
    In response to questions about whether he was still keen on playing as part of the World Cup, Beckham said he didn't want to give up the opportunity.
    "Even with going back on loan to either AC Milan or another club, it doesn't guarantee my place in the World Cup and in the World Cup squads, if and when we qualify. So, at the moment, all I'm concentrating on is being part of this team and being successful with this team. Once the season is over, then I'll decide what I'll do from then on," Beckham explained.
    "But leading up to the World Cup, the England managers made it very clear to me that I need to be playing at European level. So, I would do everything possible. I will always regret it if I didn't do everything to give myself a chance to be involved in that," said Beckham.
    After his Thursday (July 16) game in New York, Beckham's first home appearance for the Galaxy will be Sunday's friendly encounter against, of all teams, AC Milan.
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