Country First for David Beckham

Much has already been written about David Beckham’s loan move from the LA Galaxy to AC Milan. And much will continue to be written until a final answer appears as to whether the move will be made permanent or not.

Regardless of whether Beckham decides he’d prefer to stay at Milan, or indeed whether Milan decide they’d like to keep him full-time, his motives for the move remain an interesting talking point.

The loan deal appeared to have been instigated so that the player could maintain his fitness during the MLS close season. Why? So that he would be in contention for selection for the national team. 

Of course it might well have been in his mind that a loan move, if successful, would open the window for a return to European football. However, Fabio Capello has previously been very clear that he will not consider any player for selection if they are not playing first-team football.

This left Beckham with a dilemma. Having made clear his intention to remain available for the national side, he found himself obliged to find first-team football. Capello had already left him out of the squad in November for the friendly against Germany after the Galaxy’s season ended prematurely after not making the playoffs.

In an age when many players are increasingly calling early retirement on international careers it is most refreshing to see someone as committed to their country as Beckham.

In recent years England have been hit by key players retiring around the age of 30 (Alan Shearer, Paul Scholes and most recently Jamie Carragher) it is impressive that Beckham retains his enthusiasm for the Three Lions at the age of 33.

The national team can ill afford such retirements in an era when the Premier League is increasingly dominated by foreign players. Indeed, in the case of Paul Scholes it is believed that Steve McClaren tried twice without success to tempt him back and Capello is thought to have at least tested the water with regards to a comeback, again unsuccessfully.

It was also widely reported that at least a couple of senior players in the current squad considered calling a day on their international careers after the failure to qualify for Euro 2008 and the abuse suffered from their own fans at Wembley.

Fortunately Capello did not suffer this early blow and enjoyed a successful first year. However, at a time when he only has a fairly limited pool of top players to choose from he will be grateful that players like Beckham retain the hunger and desire to represent their country.

And given the impressive start to his career at Milan it is clear that he still has something to offer at this level.