Planet Football has published a retrospective on David Beckham's loan spells at AC Milan. The look back covers a move that began with his first loan 18 years before.
Move from LA Galaxy to Milan
Beckham signed for LA Galaxy in 2007. About a year and a half later, he joined AC Milan on loan during the MLS off-season rather than leaving his Galaxy deal permanently.
When rumours of the transfer circulated in December 2008, Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said: "Football today is about full stadiums and sponsors and superstars like Beckham fill them up," and, "With him, Kaká and Ronaldinho , it will be a dream team."
Carlo Ancelotti said he was excited to work with "a serious athlete" and "great professional".
Debut and early goals
Beckham made his Milan debut away at Roma on January 11, 2009, and Roma and Milan drew 2-2 in that match.
Ancelotti said he had picked Beckham earlier than expected "because he demonstrated he was a very intelligent, serious and balanced player" and because he had "inserted himself well in our group".
On January 25, Beckham scored his first Milan goal, the final goal in a 4-1 win over Bologna. Three days later, he scored his second Milan goal in a 1-1 home match against Genoa. After that Genoa match, Ancelotti said Beckham had enjoyed "another great game".
England recognition
England boss Fabio Capello said: "I was happy with Beckham’s performance" and "He seems well integrated in the Milan team."
After joining Milan in January 2009, Beckham earned call-ups for five of England’s six remaining World Cup qualifiers. By December 2009, ahead of Beckham's second loan, Capello said: "If he plays well and is fit I will include him in my squad ," and, "He’s serious, he’s a great professional and he’s crazy about the World Cup."
Extended stay and later setback
During Beckham's first Milan spell, he extended the loan beyond the initially proposed duration, which resulted in him missing a big chunk of the 2009 MLS season. Planet Football said Beckham paid some of his own wages to make the 2009 loan extension possible.
When Beckham returned to the Galaxy team in July 2009, he was jeered and taunted by his own fans, and he responded by attempting to confront members of the crowd. By March 2010, Beckham had torn his Achilles tendon in a match against Chievo, ruling him out of the World Cup and ultimately ending his international career, according to Planet Football. Milan finished third in Serie A in both of Beckham's seasons there.
