David Beckham has admitted for the first time that he is considering leaving LA Galaxy to make his move to AC Milan permanent.
The England midfielder's loan deal at the Serie A club ends in March when he is due to return to California, but his impressive performances have prompted Milan to look at the possibility of keeping him.
Beckham scored his first goal for Milan in their 4-1 victory away to Bologna on Sunday which prompted Leandro Cantamessa, the club lawyer, to add his support to the mounting campaign to keep the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player at the San Siro and the growing support has obviously turned Beckham's head. "To play here is the dream of any player," Beckham said. "But deciding is not easy, it´s a situation that requires time.
"I am under contract [with LA Galaxy] and I have a lot of respect for them. But the possibility to play at Milan is something special. I knew I would have fun but I didn't expect to have so much fun. In any case, I am a very respectful person.
"The truth is that the Americans are doing everything to improve the level and reputation of their football. The league in the USA is young. I think ten years have to go by to achieve results."
Beckham knew the level of competition in America would be poorer than that in Europe but he does not regret making the move. "I have to admit that, having played in Europe, at times it has been frustrating to take part in certain games [in the MLS]," he said. "But once in a while, going from state to state, I have also had fun."
The 33-year-old, whose wife Victoria and three children have stayed in the United States during his loan perios, first joined Milan to improve his chances of playing for England again, but his stay in Italy has also made him feel nostalgia for past glories. "I feel Milan is very similar to Manchester United," he said. "It has that kind of tradition that only great clubs have.
"Milan, just like at United, you breathe a particular atmosphere, whether it's in the training ground or the stadium. And then Milan has that trophy room - this makes you feel special.
"The first day in Milan's changing room I was very nervous, like the first day in school. But the first true emotion, I felt it when I arrived in December to Milan's training ground, when I put on the Milan jersey. My wife was sitting in front of me and when I put the jersey on and it had the Milan logo, I was in ecstasy."
Fabio Capello, the England coach, will be at tonight's game against Genoa to monitor Beckham's fitness ahead of next month's friendly with Spain.
source:the london times
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Colin Montgomerie named as Europe's Ryder Cup captain
Colin Montgomerie has been appointed captain of the European team for the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.
The Scot, so often an inspiration on the course at previous Ryder Cups, will switch to a leadership role after fending off competition from the likes of Jose Maria Olazabal and Sandy Lyle for the job.
"This is one of the proudest moments I can think of," Montgomerie said. "I am very proud and honoured to be selected by the committee to be the 2010 Ryder Cup captain. It's not just an honour but a huge responsibility as well. t is important we do everything we can to claim back the Ryder Cup in Wales in 2010."
Montgomerie, who confirmed Olazabal would help him out in Wales, admitted it was support from European players which convinced him to go for the job. Until this month there seemed no prospect of him making himself available for the post, however he admitted players, including Thomas Bjorn, the tournament committee chairman, had influenced his thinking. "I've been listening and taking heed of what they've been saying," Montgomerie said. "It just seems the time is right for me to take the helm here and be captain."
Montgomerie ruled out any prospect of being a playing captain next year. "All the points I earn as a player for the Ryder Cup will be nullified," he said. "I will not in any way, shape or form come close to qualifying for the team. I am captain and very proud and honoured.
"I don't believe I cannot compete in 2012. That is now my aim. But we're concentrating today on 2010 and that's where we are."
Today's news, which was announced in Dubai, may mean 45-year-old Montgomerie has played in his last Ryder Cup.
The five-time Ryder Cup winner only emerged as a frontrunner two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi after previously indicating he wanted to return to the team next year to win a ninth cap and wait until Gleneagles in 2014 to take up the captaincy.
Lyle and former skipper Ian Woosnam had also been touted as potential leaders of the European team, however they appeared to drop out of contention earlier this month, leaving the European Tour's tournament committee with what appeared to be a choice between Montgomerie and Olazabal.
Bernard Gallacher and Sam Torrance had both backed Montgomerie, five times a major championship runner-up but never a winner, to take charge for next year's match in Wales.
Montgomerie has won 23.5 points in Ryder Cup player, just 1.5 points behind the record held by Nick Faldo who was last year's captain when Europe were resoundingly beaten by the United States at Valhalla.
In December, Corey Pavin was appointed as captain of the United States for the 2010 match, succeeding Paul Azinger.
source: the london times
The Scot, so often an inspiration on the course at previous Ryder Cups, will switch to a leadership role after fending off competition from the likes of Jose Maria Olazabal and Sandy Lyle for the job.
"This is one of the proudest moments I can think of," Montgomerie said. "I am very proud and honoured to be selected by the committee to be the 2010 Ryder Cup captain. It's not just an honour but a huge responsibility as well. t is important we do everything we can to claim back the Ryder Cup in Wales in 2010."
Montgomerie, who confirmed Olazabal would help him out in Wales, admitted it was support from European players which convinced him to go for the job. Until this month there seemed no prospect of him making himself available for the post, however he admitted players, including Thomas Bjorn, the tournament committee chairman, had influenced his thinking. "I've been listening and taking heed of what they've been saying," Montgomerie said. "It just seems the time is right for me to take the helm here and be captain."
Montgomerie ruled out any prospect of being a playing captain next year. "All the points I earn as a player for the Ryder Cup will be nullified," he said. "I will not in any way, shape or form come close to qualifying for the team. I am captain and very proud and honoured.
"I don't believe I cannot compete in 2012. That is now my aim. But we're concentrating today on 2010 and that's where we are."
Today's news, which was announced in Dubai, may mean 45-year-old Montgomerie has played in his last Ryder Cup.
The five-time Ryder Cup winner only emerged as a frontrunner two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi after previously indicating he wanted to return to the team next year to win a ninth cap and wait until Gleneagles in 2014 to take up the captaincy.
Lyle and former skipper Ian Woosnam had also been touted as potential leaders of the European team, however they appeared to drop out of contention earlier this month, leaving the European Tour's tournament committee with what appeared to be a choice between Montgomerie and Olazabal.
Bernard Gallacher and Sam Torrance had both backed Montgomerie, five times a major championship runner-up but never a winner, to take charge for next year's match in Wales.
Montgomerie has won 23.5 points in Ryder Cup player, just 1.5 points behind the record held by Nick Faldo who was last year's captain when Europe were resoundingly beaten by the United States at Valhalla.
In December, Corey Pavin was appointed as captain of the United States for the 2010 match, succeeding Paul Azinger.
source: the london times
Rafael Nadal eases into Australian Open semi-final
Rafael Nadal is through to the Australian Open semi-finals after defeating Gilles Simon in straight sets. The No 1 seed beat the French sixth seed 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 to set up a match against Fernando Verdasco, his fellow Spaniard, on Friday.
Nadal broke Simon's serve three times in the first set and survived a set point to reach the last four for the second successive year. Last year he was beaten at that stage by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who lost to Verdasco earlier today.
"For us it's an incredible feat to have two Spanish players in the semi-final. One is going to be in the final so we have to be very happy with that," Nadal said.
"Verdasco is playing very well since he won the Davis Cup. He was in the final in Brisbane and he beat [Andy] Murray so I know it's going to be a very tough match."
Nadal, 22, broke in the first game and again at 3-1 before Simon took a break of serve of his own. But he manoeuvred his opponent expertly around the court for the third break and served the set out with an ace.
Simon double-faulted to go a break down early in the second set but hung in and broke back thanks to a stunning winner at the end of a 30-shot rally.
Momentum was shifting but Nadal regained it as he survived a set point at 4-5 then brilliantly broke in the next game, helped by a full-stretch running forehand that curled down the line.
Simon secured the first break of the third set with an overhead smash but Nadal broke back and again for 6-5 after another lengthy rally. He then calmly served out to win.
"At the decisive moments he was far better than me," Simon said. "He saved so many break points. Every time I had a chance he played better than me and hit a winner.
"He was just too good. I had a set point but I had no chance, because he played a good serve, and then he hit that forehand. There was nothing I could do."
Roger Federer, the No 2 seed, plays Andy Roddick on Thursday in the other semi-final. The final is on Sunday.
source: the london times
Nadal broke Simon's serve three times in the first set and survived a set point to reach the last four for the second successive year. Last year he was beaten at that stage by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who lost to Verdasco earlier today.
"For us it's an incredible feat to have two Spanish players in the semi-final. One is going to be in the final so we have to be very happy with that," Nadal said.
"Verdasco is playing very well since he won the Davis Cup. He was in the final in Brisbane and he beat [Andy] Murray so I know it's going to be a very tough match."
Nadal, 22, broke in the first game and again at 3-1 before Simon took a break of serve of his own. But he manoeuvred his opponent expertly around the court for the third break and served the set out with an ace.
Simon double-faulted to go a break down early in the second set but hung in and broke back thanks to a stunning winner at the end of a 30-shot rally.
Momentum was shifting but Nadal regained it as he survived a set point at 4-5 then brilliantly broke in the next game, helped by a full-stretch running forehand that curled down the line.
Simon secured the first break of the third set with an overhead smash but Nadal broke back and again for 6-5 after another lengthy rally. He then calmly served out to win.
"At the decisive moments he was far better than me," Simon said. "He saved so many break points. Every time I had a chance he played better than me and hit a winner.
"He was just too good. I had a set point but I had no chance, because he played a good serve, and then he hit that forehand. There was nothing I could do."
Roger Federer, the No 2 seed, plays Andy Roddick on Thursday in the other semi-final. The final is on Sunday.
source: the london times
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