David Beckham Planning Return to AC Milan?

David Beckham could be planning a return to AC Milan, the team that he was "loaned" to for seven months, from January to June 2009. The loan was originally for only five months, but extended from March until June when Beckham decided to stay with Milan, instead of the Galaxy. The extension forced Beckham to miss the first half of the 2009 MLS season with the Galaxy.

Beckham has said he wants to play with AC Milan "as soon as possible" for numerous reasons. Beckham still has a tight bond with his AC Milan teammates and says that the level of competition is much better in Europe and he likes more of a challenge. Beckham was also better treated better by the fans in Italy. If the return is to happen, it would have to happen at the end of the 2009 MLS season, after he fulfills all his obligations with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The loan would be for perhaps five to seven months, starting from January of next year, when AC Milan starts their season, until the beginning the 2010 MLS season.

The Los Angeles Galaxy signed Beckham to a five-year contract, worth over $250 million, a staggering amount that amounts to about $1 million a week, in January 2007. Beckham, who left Real Madrid for the MLS (Major League Soccer), now has the highest player salary in the history of the MLS by far. The move seemed to work as Beckham's jersey was the #1 sold jersey in all of MLS, and gave the MLS world-wide recognition in the soccer world. His first season with the Galaxy didn't turn out so well, as he did not score a single goal, and an injury forced him to miss six weeks. His second season was a much better one, scoring 5 goals in 25 games, and giving the Galaxy their first winning record in two years.

At the end of the 2008 MLS season, Beckham was loaned to AC Milan. Beckham was put in a starting role in his first goal and had success. He scored two goals in four games, and assisted on many more. Beckham played in a total of eighteen games with the club and was influential on offense. AC Milan attempted to seek a permanent transfer from the MLS, but failed to match Galaxy's valuation of Beckham.

Beckham made his Galaxy home debut a few days ago after missing the first half of the season, ironically against AC Milan, to a mostly mixed reaction. There were a mix of cheers and boos. Some boos turned to cheers after Beckham assisted on two goals, in a 2-2 tie, but there was an altercation between Beckham and a fan at halftime. Beckham walked toward the L.A. riot section and called out a fan who had been yelling at him. The man jumped from his seat but was subdued by security before anything happened. There were also a few fans who had big signs that read "Go home fraud," and others that read "23: Repent" and "Part time player." Beckham will play six more regular-season home games.

The return to AC Milan could be to prove to Fabio Capello, who is the coach of England in the 2010 World Cup, that he is still one of the best soccer players in the world, and should start in the World Cup in South Africa.