David Beckham Must Do What Is Right for David Beckham

Let me start by saying I was never behind David Beckham leaving Europe for the MLS for a couple of reasons:

1. He was getting paid millions in a league where most players earn nothing.

2. I believed he could still play at a much higher level.

Both points came to a head this week when Beckham was booed for allegedly letting his club, the LA Galaxy, and possibly the league down.

After all, he wasn’t really signed as a footballer; he was signed as a celebrity publicity stunt, and as such he should be available for photo shoots, interviews, and guest appearances—all day, every day.

No holidays in Europe playing football are allowed.

Mistakes have been made

I believe he has seen the error in his ways and no longer wants to represent the MLS, but wants to represent David Beckham and do what is best for himself.

The England midfielder has the right to play at the highest level he possibly can for as long as he possibly can. After all, being a footballer is not a lifelong career, and in 10 years he’ll already be looking back on his professional life, wondering if he made the right decisions and did his best over the years.

Hopefully 10 years down the line and, God willing, many more decades after that, he’ll be smiling back on a career spent with three of the biggest clubs (Manchester United, Real Madrid, and AC Milan) in the world—not regretting missing out on the 2010 World Cup because he never did enough.

With arguably England, Spain, and Italy’s largest clubs and a century of England Caps under his belt, some would argue he has done it all and should be happy playing in America for millions.

Beckham must do what is best for him

But I disagree, and so it appears does Beckham himself.

He wants to play in another World Cup, and why shouldn’t he? Beckham has been told that playing in America is simply not good enough for Fabio Capello, his international boss, and he therefore wants to spend as much time playing in Europe as possible.

Not for money, not for his wife Victoria, but for himself.

Beckham has done all he can for the MLS and Galaxy with the league and franchise now more recognizable thanks to the Englishman’s presence.

Therefore, he has done his bit. It was never about making Galaxy a better team, but just about simple publicity. He now deserves his second chance at a full-time career in Europe, where he can play towards his own goals.

Moves to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have been mentioned in the British press, and I for one hope to see him playing football this season and not filling stadiums.

Then maybe he’ll be guaranteed to look back on his career with pride.

In the end, it is not you or I, but David Beckham, who must live the rest of his life knowing he did the best he could, when he could.