GOAL.COMMENTARY: Beckham Committed To MLS - Somewhat

By Zac Lee Rigg

Most likely in a measure to reassure Major League Soccer and Los Angeles Galaxy fans, David Beckham gave an extended interview to ESPN. The English midfielder repeated that he is “committed” to the Galaxy and soccer in America throughout the interview like a mantra. Or perhaps he was trying to convince himself of his own words.

The 33-year-old has extended his loan deal with A.C. Milan to the end of the European season. The initial loan period ended in time for Beckham to join his Galaxy teammates as they prepared for the 2009 MLS season. Now, he will miss the opening 17 matches of the season. He cited a desire to play for the English national team as a driving reason for the extension.

“It's obviously something that I've thought about a lot, because I'm very committed to the MLS and to the Galaxy, but looking to 2010 and the World Cup with England I knew I had to play at the highest level and I knew I had to play in Europe so I wanted to extend my loan deal with Milan,” England's second-most capped player said.

As part of the deal, Beckham is chipping in some of his own cash to finance the extension. He is reportedly fronting more than AC Milan.

When asked about the financial sacrifice, he brushed aside the question, claiming that his career has always been about the sport, rather than the money.

“There was a commitment I had to make and it's something I didn't think twice about because at the end of the day my career's never been about the financial side or the money side,” he said. “I've always been solely interested in the football. People may turn around and say it's easy for me to say because the money's always been there, but I think all through my career all I've cared about it is football and where I play my football.”

For someone who isn't in it for the money, Beckham has been one of the most commercially successful players of all time. Shirt sales alone have more than paid the Galaxy back for his wages, not to mention his deals with Disney or Pepsi, or a variety of other corporate interests. With the fortune left over at the end of his career, Beckham says at least part will be invested back into the sport in America. He claims his stay in the USA is for the long-haul, and that eventually he'd like to buy a franchise in the nation.

“I wouldn't have committed myself to the Galaxy as an MLS ambassador if I didn't believe the sport would grow and I've always said it's not going to take a year or two, it's going to take five, 10 or 15 years and I'm still committed to that,” he asserted. “I've got the chance to own a franchise at the end of my playing career and I plan on doing that and that shows my commitment and belief in the sport in America.”

That commitment, however strong, is tempered by Beckham's personal ambition. He clarified that even during the 13 games of the season the Galaxy will have him, Beckham will be missing matches for international callups and England duty.

“Tim Leiweke and the Galaxy have been supportive of me playing for my country,” Beckham maintained. “They know how important it is for me to play for my country, so that will continue to happen but I'll play in every game possible and I'll be flying back and forth.”

The next several years will further clarify just how committed Beckham is to soccer in America, but for right now, it is obvious that his own career comes first.

Zac Lee Rigg is an assistant editor at Goal.com