From Istanbul to Indonesia and from Mumbai to Milan, reaction to Beckham's Italian decision is dominating Goal.com's various editions...
What has been the general reaction to the news in your country?
Sergio Stanco, Goal.com Italy -Obviously now it's Becksmania! Milan always has a strong influence with the media and everybody is talking about this transfer.
Andrea Canales, Goal.com USA - People are more or less indifferent. Most fans here don't care what Beckham does in the MLS offseason. Major League Baseball's World Series is taking place, the NBA and NFL are kicking into gear - there's a lot of distractions around. A few die-hard soccer fans are predicting darkly that Beckham won't return from a loan to Italy, but otherwise, the news isn't making much of a splash.
Juan Lirman, Goal.com Spain - Here in Spain, it was a big surprise, of course. And some media are already 'joking' that Milan is a kind of Jurassic Park. They say Ancelotti's squad is old and 'oldfashioned' etc.
Lee Cheol-gyu, Goal.com Korea – The fans and media were totally surprised. Most thought he left the European stage too early, so they are happy he has returned. They want to see Beckham play in the Champions League.
Ceyhun Bayel, Goal.com Turkey – Fans in Turkey are shocked. They think that Beckham can attract people to stadiums but it is the end of Milan. According to them, with Beckham, Milan will lose suffer defensively and this can cause big problems like the ones Real Madrid faced.
Dapeng Liang, Goal.com China – It makes eye-catching headlines. Victoria Beckham will be happy to come back to Europe and Milan is a city of fashion. And there are millions fans of Milan and Beckham in China and it great news for them. They can see their icon on TV every weekend. With Beckham, Kaka ,Pirlo and Ronaldinho, Milan has the best midfieldsin the world!
Michael Paterakis, Goal.com Greece – It’s no big deal because now the special place in Greek fans' hearts belongs to Beckham's successor at United -Christiano Ronaldo.
Yoshikazu Muro, Goal.com Japan - It is certainly big news for Japanese football fans as he is still one of the most well-known players here. However, despite the fact that many football fans are looking forward to watching again his play in a high-level league, there are people for whom David Beckham is ancient history.
Tommy Van Eldik, Goal.com Netherlands -Here in Holland nothing particular has happened so far since the transfer has taken place in Italy. The fact that Clarence Seedorf is the only Dutchman that plays in the Serie A makes this league less interesting for Dutch football fans. They prefer the English Premier League (Van Persie, Kuyt) or La Liga (Real Madrid).
Bima Said, Goal.com Indonesia -There are mixed reactions. But most Calcio fans in Indonesia welcome Beckham. Some are even optimistic that Beckham still has the skills to help Milan return to the top four. Others think that he will only be on the bench most of the times, simply because he is there for commercial purposes. And only a few think he will become a total flop.
Subhankar Mondal, Goal.com India -The news that Beckham is moving to AC Milan is still sinking in here in India. But I suppose most Indians will be glad that Beckham is back in Europe. He 'was' a huge iconic figure here until a couple of years ago and although he will be playing for an Italian team---and here in India, Serie A is not broadcasted to the same degree as the Premiership. Beckham's 'legacy' and popularity is as big as ever here in India.
Naim Beneddra, Goal.com France -In France, we are thinking in terms of a great media move. In addition, this transfer confirms the idea that Milan is a club of old players, incapable of assembling a team of young people. Fans are skeptical that Beckham will succeed in Italy.
Will Beckham be a success in Italy? Is he good enough?
USA -It depends on how one defines success. I think Beckham actually plays better when he is not the focus of a team. With better players on his squad, it is likely that he will be given more room to hit his trademark crosses and long passes to skillful forwards who will know exactly what to do with them. Beckham is good enough to earn some playing time - but I don't think he will ever be a key player for Milan.
Greece -Well, he is 33 but still a good player. He hasn’t let down any club he has joined. We are just too focused on his off-field life. Why shouldn’t he be good enough for Milan? The club had Costacurta and still have Maldini showing that age is no problem.
Japan -At some level. In his career, the fact is that he has been successful wherever he has played, even for Real Madrid, however, it should be remembered that he is now 33. In addition to this, it is unlikely that Carlo Ancelotti will select him on the right.
Spain- Maybe he won't be a success but he will be a help on the Milan roster and locker room. Beckham is a very good professional (as Ancelotti admitted) and he's a kind of player who won't break the peace on an experienced and winning team as Milan is. The season is long and Milan will need en effort from so many players, so Beckham can help. He can be a useful player Milan.
Netherlands -I think he won’t be a success in Italy. His best years are behind him. The fact that he has played in the MLS for the last year and a half also isn’t an advantage for him and for that reason I think he will experience lots of difficulties with his performances in a strong Serie A.
China -Yes he will. Although he is 33 years old, we must consider that he played ten years in the Premier League before 2003. The tempo of the league is faster than Serie A. He is old now, but he hasn’t lost his technique. And the most important thing is that he has a dream for World Cup2010 - he won’t let Milan down.
India -David Beckham was always good enough to feature in a major European club and it is indeed a good thing for the player, for AC Milan and for European football in general that Beckham shall return next year. He might be 33 and is not the same player he was while at Manchester United or Real Madrid but I feel he still has a couple or maybe more years of top flight European football in him. He should still have his crossing and free-kick skills!
Korea -I think he can prove that 'class lasts forever'. Also, Milan is a good team for older players and is used to having stars. Beckham can play well there. But I doubt if he can play full time, it's very competitive in Milan’s midfield.
Indonesia -It's true that he doesn't rely on pace, and it's easier for players with experience in La Liga to adapt to the Italian style of play, and vice versa. Beckham is the ideal replacement for Pirlo and I believe he is good enough for Milan.
Turkey - Most people in Turkey think that he won't be successful in Italy. He will struggle with the physical side. Milan also has Kaka and Ronaldinho. But personally I believe that Beckham will be a key player with his crosses and free kicks. In Italy, it is hard to score because every team knows how to defend. Beck's abilities could really help.
France -David Beckham will be a success in Italy. He has succeeded at two of the biggest European clubs, so why not a third? Beckham still has one or two years of high level football in him. In recent England matches we could see that he has lost nothing of his talent.
Italy - I think yes, I think that Milan is the best team for old players. The club gives players a long-life elixir. They also have something called the ‘Milan Lab’ which studies all players’ data from a technical and medical point of view.
Why do you think Milan want him?
Greece -It's the glamour and the money. A Beckham deal is always a business deal more than any other transfer in football. You get Victoria together and the whole paparazzi thing. Of course that he is a great player of the kind that Milan don't have helps...
Japan - For commercial purposes. He is still a commercially interesting player and the presence of star players like Ronaldinho and himself can revive an active interest in their club.
China -Beckham will join on loan. It means they do not need pay a transfer fee - it is good business. Firstly, Beckham is still a great player and is also determined to show Capello - former coach of Milan- what he can do. Secondly, Beckham has his economic value. Player and club sponsor Adidas must be very happy to see David Beckham playing in the red and black.
Spain - It's not only merchandising. AC Milan doesn't need this. Just take a look at their squad: Ronaldinho, Sheva, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kakà, etc... Do they need a star to sell t-shirts? No. Beckham comes on a free loan and he will help. That's all.
Netherlands -Milan tend to buy players with ‘big’ names that have their best years behind them (Ronaldinho, the second transfer of Shevchenko, Zambrotta). They hope to get the same world class players but sadly they are all past their best.
Indonesia - Why not? Rather than having him do almost nothing in the MLS, Milan might as well gain advantage by using Beckham's marketing power to boost merchandising sales. Ancelotti will utilise him as a back-up in case Pirlo is injured.
Korea – Financial and playmaking reasons. Beckham can attract the focus of media to Milan who can't participate in the Champions League this season. His commercial power will lead Milan to financial success. He already proved that he can play in the EPL and La Liga - although he was not very good at central midfield - but he still has a role to play. His accurate crossing and conscientious attitude will help Milan.
USA - Beckham strikes good crosses and hits a lovely dead ball. Beyond that, Italian calcio is still suffering something of an image crisis due to lingering fallout over corruption issues. Though many local fans are loyal, the league lags behind other European ones in terms of worldwide marketing. Signing Beckham even for a matter of a few months would be a coup for Milan. It would fill a lot of seats at the San Siro.
Turkey -Milan want him for sports marketing and boosting attendances. Italian teams can not earn as much as income from stadiums like German and English teams. For that purpose Milan are trying to create a team of Galacticos.
Italy -Milan said openly that there is an advertising point of view. From a technical one, they don’t have good crossers and now they have a striker Borriello who is very strong with his head.
India -When it comes to David Beckham and any transfer situation, it is very easy to feel that all this is about publicity and money. And for once, this appears to be true! Milan vice-president Adrano Galliani himself admitted this. Italian football has observed a steep fall in attendance in the last few years and Beckham's arrival will certainly fill the stadiums.
France - Milan wants to promote the image of the club throughout the world. I do not believe that Carlo Ancelotti made Beckham a priority in terms of recruitment – he is not lacking in manpower. I believe that Galliani has as an ambition to make a Dream Team in San Siro.
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