England ace emotional to be heading back to Old Trafford

David Beckham has admitted he nearly cried when he discovered AC Milan were paired with Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League. [...]

The games with United are Beckham's first against his former club and he admits his emotions got the better of him when he found out he would be returning to the Theatre of Dreams.

"When I knew the draw, I nearly cried," revealed Beckham.

"I love the club. It's going to be an emotional night.

"I have never returned to Old Trafford in six years. It has always been a special place in my heart."

Milan are currently second in the Serie A standings and the veteran midfielder, who joined the club on loan last year, sees no reason why they cannot wrestle the Scudetto from city rivals Inter.

The San Siro outfit have changed somewhat since Beckham's last spell with Paolo Maldini retiring, Kaka joining Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti heading to Chelsea.

However, he believes there is enough talent there to ruffle Jose Mourinho's feathers between now and the end of the season.

"Milan can surely win the Italian league. I've found a squad really similar to last season's team," he continued.

"Surely the absence of Paolo (Maldini) is felt. Kaka, the best world's player is gone to Madrid. And Carlo's gone to Chelsea.

"These are important changes, but a big club is able to face them. Milan suffered for this at the beginning, but after a certain period, now they are playing in a really good way." Source

Former England international Peter Shilton believes David Beckham should be on the plane to South Africa next June.

The on-loan AC Milan star, who has played 115 times for the Three Lions, is no longer a regular starter for the national team, but his experience and nous is priceless.

Shilton agrees and insists that the inclusion of Beckham in Fabio Capello's squad would be beneficial to all involved with the team.

The former Derby County goalkeeper told Soccer Week: "I think it's good for everybody if he does go to the World Cup. He hasn't played a regular 90 minutes for England for quite a long time but if Fabio sees he's still got something to offer the team he'll be there and rightly so. Keep reading

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David Beckham has landed in Milan to begin his second adventure with the Rossoneri, but those who turned up to Malpensa to see him were left disappointed as he was whisked away by the club's entourage.

The England international touched down at Malpensa airport at around 11:00 CET, according to Sky Sport Italia. He was traveling on a private flight that landed at Terminal 2.

Journalists and cameramen marauded through the airport, but the player sidestepped the media buzz and was bungled into a car supplied by Milan to whisk him away.

'Becks' is now on his way to the Milanello training ground, where he will undergo a series of medical and physical tests with the rest of the squad before they resume training following the Christmas break.

Following the session, Beckham will rub shoulders with new coach Leonardo, before heading back to the same luxury hotel he was staying in during his previous loan spell last season. Source

ENGLAND coach Fabio Capello intends to take David Beckham to the World Cup if the midfielder plays regularly in his second stay at AC Milan.

In an interview withIralian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday, Capello was asked if he would take the 34-year-old former England captain to South Africa.

"Of course - if he plays and is well physically," the coach said.

"I don't look at ages. I look at skill and Beckham has a lot.

"He's serious, a real professional and he's really dedicated to making the World Cup squad."

Beckham arrived in Italy on Monday for his second loan spell with Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy and met some of his teammates at the Serie A club's training ground. Source

Victoria Beckham bought husband David a Bulldog for Christmas.

The former Spice Girl splashed out £2,000 on the pet pooch for the soccer star and gave it to him during the family’s festive celebrations at their UK home, Beckingham Palace, in Hertfordshire.

The as yet unnamed mutt will soon be flown out to Los Angeles to live with the couple and their three sons – Brooklyn, ten, Romeo, seven, and four-year-old Cruz.

Victoria, 35, chose that particular breed because it is synonymous with the fighting spirit of the England soccer team and the country. More here

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AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo believes Manchester United legend David Beckham is still one of the best players in the world and is tailor made for their Champions League date with his former club. The Italian international suggests Beckham is already relishing his long-awaited return to Old Trafford for their upcoming Champions League tie, and admitted he would not be surprised if Beckham scored the winner against Manchester United. [...]

Such is his affinity for his former club, Pirlo believes Beckham would not celebrate if he scored against Manchester United.

Pirlo told the People: “You could see David coming on and scoring the winning free-kick at Old Trafford with minutes to go, that's the sort of mentality the guy has.”

“But he also has the class not to celebrate.”

“Knowing David, if he scores in Manchester I can almost guarantee he wouldn't celebrate.”

“Games like this were made for David.”

“He is among the top five big-game players in the world. He has shown for both his club and country over the years that he rises to the big occasions.” Full article here

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Hi everyone

I'm back in LA at the moment and it's good to spend some time with the family in the lead up to Christmas.

On the World Cup Draw, overall I was happy with England's group. Although there will be some tough matches, and at altitude, I'm confident we can progress.

We have a fantastic group of players and I will do everything possible to make the squad. I had a feeling we would draw the United States and it will be great to play against Landon.

I start with Milan on the 28th of December and our first game will be against Genoa at the San Siro on the 6th of January - I can't wait to get started.

I'm also looking forward to playing in the Champions League and I'll be looking out for the draw tomorrow. Imagine if the Milan are drawn against Manchester United - what a game that would be!

Have a great Christmas, whatever you're planning, take care

David

Patrice Evra will help roll out the Old Trafford welcome mat for David Beckham - and then try to boot the former Manchester United star out of the Champions League.

Beckham's return to United with AC Milan will dominate minds for the next two months. It will be the former England captain's first return visit to the club he served with such distinction before leaving in 2003 after Sir Alex Ferguson tired of his love of the limelight.

Although the pair have since patched up their differences, and shook hands in public ahead of United's meeting with Inter Milan at the San Siro 12 months ago, the competitive edge of both men will ensure a highly-charged last-16 tie. Keep reading

Mark Ogden celebrates David Beckham's last minute free-kick against Greece that booked England a place at the 2002 World Cup finals, one of the outstanding moments of the decade. Have your say below, and vote for your own moment of the decade in our poll.

What: England 2 Greece 2; David Beckham books a World Cup place with last minute free-kick
When: Oct 6, 2001
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
Watch: YouTube Keep reading & vote!

Want to make David Beckham feel awkward?

Try forcing him to participate in a sing-along.

Becks was on Lopez Tonight Wednesday, where he confessed to George Lopez that he recently got super embarrassed during an evening out with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

"I get so uncomfortable with crowd participation," Becks said. "We were at dinner once with Tom and Katie. We sat there and everyone was like, 'Let's play a music game...let's start a singing game,' " he told the audience. "That's my worst nightmare!"

It actually sounds pretty awful to us, too. We were always taught singing in restaurants is rude.

So what happened next?

"I'm, like, texting one of my friends who was in the same restaurant: 'Oh please, invite me on to your table,' " he said.

He's invited to our table anytime!

George then asked David if he's a good singer.

"Um, in the shower," he adorably answered. Keep reading

Labels: ac milan, david beckham, david beckham and tom cruise, david beckham blogs, manchester united

MILAN (Reuters) - AC Milan's David Beckham wants to play former club Manchester United when the draw for February's Champions League last 16 is made on Friday.

The 34-year-old, who joins Milan in January for a second loan spell from the Los Angeles Galaxy to try to secure his England World Cup place, left United in 2003 having won the 1999 European Cup with his boyhood club.

"I would really like it if we draw my old club. Since I left in 2003 I have not gone back to play at Old Trafford (as a club player)," he told Wednesday's Gazzetta dello Sport from Los Angeles.

"Seven years have gone by and I want it to happen. Me against United, great no? It would be very difficult but also very exciting." Keep reading

During a visit to South Africa last week, footballer David Beckham went to a UNICEF-supported clinic in Khayelitsha Township, Cape Town, where he met and spoke to pregnant young women and new mothers who are living with HIV. As an ambassador for UNICEF, Beckham wanted to highlight the progress that has been made around the world preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
UNICEF released the below videos of Beckham’s visit today.
The Mothers2Mothers (M2M) programme, supported by UNICEF, helps educate pregnant women and new mothers on preventing HIV transmission to their babies.
Beckham was introduced to the programme by Dr Mitch Besser, the founder of M2M.
He met Tamara, 25, a mother living with HIV, who received treatment at the centre and now supports other young women in similar circumstances. Thanks to the testing, counselling and medication she received there, her son Sesiphi, now three, was born free from HIV. Keep reading and watch 2 videos from UNICEF

The Beckham boys are Mary Poppins fans — who knew? Soccer stud David took sons Brooklyn Joseph, 10 ½, Romeo James, 7, and Cruz David, 4 ½, to catch the LA engagement of the hit Broadway musical on Saturday. The lucky group even went backstage at the Ahmanson Theatre to meet the show’s stars Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee! See the picture here

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Hi everyone

I thought I’d give you a quick update from my South African trip.

I arrived in Cape Town on Wednesday, along with the England 2018 bid team, and we’ve been in several positive meetings with Sepp Blatter and several of the FIFA Executive Committee members. We all share a love of the game and it was a pleasure to get know them better.

Yesterday we visited a Coaching For Hope football clinic in Khayelithsa with ex-Premier League football Lucas Radebe. I then went on to see for myself a centre for HIV mothers and their babies nearby. I'm amazed by the spirit and strength of the women and children that I met. They are incredible people and I was honoured to be in their company.

This morning we had a few more 2018 meetings, then the launch of the World Cup Ball for Adidas. After that I’m really excited and proud to be part of the World Cup Draw itself. I'm getting ready now and heading to the live draw soon.

Finally on a personal note I just want to thank you to all the people out there who have passed on messages of condolences and kind thoughts for my family at this difficult time. I'm very thankful for your words and support.

Take care

David

Veteran England midfielder David Beckham has spoken of his dream of playing in the 2014 World Cup.

The Los Angeles Galaxy star is currently trying to clinch his place in next summer's finals after securing another loan spell at AC Milan to please England boss Fabio Capello.

But the midfielder, who already has more than 100 caps to his name, believes he could also be fit enough to play at the 2014 finals in Brazil, where he would be 39 years of age. Keep reading

David Beckham is seen out with wife Victoria as they celebrate her shoot for Harper's Bazaar magazine. The 35-year-old is the current cover star of the magazine and she attended a celebratory dinner with David, 34, at the Connaught Hotel, in Mayfair, London.

The Beckhams were joined by their pals Gordon and Tana Ramsay, as well as David Furnish and Gwen Stefani and hubby Gavin Rossdale. Source

Labels: david beckham, david beckham blogs, world cup

Labels: david beckham, david beckham images, david beckham photos, world cup

Beckham’s stoic response, putting his country before personal circumstance, made a huge impression on a Fifa high command hitherto reluctant to embrace England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Technical merit – and none has greater weight than England’s – counts for little in football’s outer reaches. A bid must connect with the heart before it can influence the head. Lord Triesman, England’s embattled bid leader, threw tradition, facilities and romance at the Fifa 24 and met with blank stares.

Then along came Beckham with a human interest story to which all could relate. Joe was the inspiration behind Beckham’s love for the game, the man responsible for the early development of a player that would become the world’s most recognisable footballing face. Keep reading

Labels: david beckham, world cup

David Beckham has rescued England’s damaged bid to host the 2018 World Cup with a spectacular round of diplomacy that has charmed some of football’s most important figures.

The Beckham charisma even wiped out memories of a new video outlining why England should win — which was immediately branded dull by critics — as the midfield player swept into an exhibition set up yesterday to allow the ten bidding nations to show themselves off to media, sponsors and members of Fifa’s executive committee, who will vote next December on which country will host the 2018 finals.

He attracted not just a phalanx of photographers but even had staff from rival bids running to the England stand to catch a glimpse of the man who has become the undoubted cornerstone of his nation’s campaign. The bid has been seen as lacklustre and was criticised by Jack Warner, the Fifa vice-president, for lacking in star quality.

Even Warner succumbed to the charms of football’s most famous face. Beckham threw himself into a round of meetings before the draw for the 2010 World Cup in Cape Town, even handing out autographed England shirts, which he brought to South Africa on his own initiative, to Fifa executive members. They and their wives have clamoured to get his signature and have their photographs taken with him. Keep reading

He was left heartbroken by the loss of his beloved grandfather. But David Beckham put his family tragedy aside as he met children at an HIV clinic in South Africa this week.

Despite his personal sorrow, the soccer idol still had his best smile for the youngsters, pregnant ladies and new mums at the centre in Cape Town.

He was there in his role as UNICEF ambassador while visiting the nation to lead England's 2018 World Cup bid, and assist with the current World Cup draw. [...]

"If I had decided to go back home I know what he would have said to me, which I can't repeat," says the 34-year-old. "He was a strong East End person."

"Grandad would have shouted at me for leaving this because he was passionate about his country.

"He fought for his country and I know how proud he was of me."

The dad-of-three, who has vowed to attend the London funeral, added: "Of course any family thing like this is tough."

"My grandad was not well for quite a few months but it's something that, when it happens, nothing can prepare you for it." Source

DAVID Beckham was warned by Luis Figo, his former Real Madrid team-mate, that England’s 2018 World Cup bid is doomed to failure.

Figo came face to face with his old friend at the bidding countries’ expo here while he was trumpeting the joint campaign for Portugal and Spain. The 10 countries who want to host the tournament in 2018 or 2022 made video presentations to the media, and afterwards former World Player of the Year Figo insisted England and Beckham would end up disappointed.

“I will be up against David and I am going to beat him for 2018,” said Figo. “These things happen in life and it is a pleasure to see him again. It is a different situation from the sort we are used to and I just hope I can be happier when the decision comes than him.”

England’s was the weakest of the four-minute videos replayed on a big screen in front of a media throng. It did not even carry an image of Beckham.

A decision on the hosts will be made in Zurich on December 2 next year. Source

DAVID and Victoria Beckham will be spending Christmas just like most of us - slaving to get the turkey on the table.

But the Beckhams are bound to have it a bit easier with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay joining the festivities with his wife Tana and their brood.

It won't be the first time the British families paired up to enjoy Christmas and it seems this time it's David's turn to host the meal at his Hertfordshire home.

And it'll be a noisy day with the Beckham's three children Brooklyn, 10, Romeo, seven, and Cruz, four, joined by the legion of Ramsay children - Megan, 11, twins Jack and Holly, nine, and Matilda, seven.

Gordon's already bracing himself for the event, which he's sure is "going to be pandemonium".

He said: "Whether it’s Victoria doing the roast or David carving the turkey or Tana making the sauce or me doing the Christmas pudding, we’ll all be helping each other." Source

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David Beckham's grandfather has died, and the England midfielder may leave South Africa before Friday's World Cup draw.

Joseph West died Wednesday at 83 after battling a serious illness for several months, Beckham spokesman Simon Oliveira said.

Beckham found out about the death after landing Wednesday in Cape Town, and he will travel back to England if the funeral takes place Friday.

Beckham continued with pre-planned meetings Wednesday, including with FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

Without citing the death, Beckham told FIFA's website that during the meeting they discussed how "family comes above anything we achieve in our careers and in our lives." Source

David Beckham yesterday put aside private grief to lead a series of high-profile meetings with Fifa power brokers on behalf of England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup. The England midfielder met Fifa's president, Sepp Blatter, and other key members of its executive committee only hours after learning that the grandfather he credits with being a major inspiration on his football career had died.

Beckham knew that his grandfather Joseph West was seriously ill when he left Britain for Cape Town and learned of his death shortly after landing.

On Tuesday Blatter had heaped praise on Beckham's "personal charisma" and urged England's bid leaders to "use him for everything forever".

Despite his family grief, Beckham is today expected to go ahead with a visit to a Coaching for Hope project in the township of Khayelitsha on the outskirts of Cape Town. Keep reading

Fabio Capello's side among eight seeded nations for Friday's draw.
England have been named among the eight seeded nations for Friday’s World Cup draw.

The other seven seeds are Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Holland, World Cup hosts, South Africa and World Cup holders, Italy. The seedings were based on October’s FIFA World Rankings.

The draw, which will take place in Cape Town at 5.45pm (GMT), will pitch the 32 qualified nations into eight groups of four and the seedings ensures England cannot be drawn alongside any of the aforementioned nations. Keep reading

Thanks to a reader for pointing this out. On Friday December 4th you can vote for Manchester United's "goal of the decade", and 2 of the nominations are David's! Here's more info.

Following in on the footsteps of his fashionista wife Victoria Beckham, footballer David Beckham and three sons have turned designers for sports charity event.

Beckham family has designed of T-Shirts for Sports Relief next year, which raises money for vulnerable people in the UK and the developing countries, Sun online reported. Source

Labels: charity, david beckham, england, manchester united, olympics, world cup