DAVID BECKHAM’S £128million deal with LA Galaxy could spark a Stateside invasion by other top European stars. The former England skipper’s incredible five-year switch from Real Madrid to the American club will signal the end of his career as a ‘serious’ footballer. But having seen what is on offer, Beckham’s mates will be scrambling to get a piece of the action as their careers come to an end.
So how long before some of the Real Galacticos and other big names roll into town and become the Galaxicos?
Step forward RealÂ’s fading Brazilian striker Ronaldo. A possible comeback from retirement for Zinedine Zidane and Portuguese ace Luis Figo, now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia. Who knows, even a swansong to put a smile on the face of BecksÂ’ best mate Gary Neville.
How about a move for AC MilanÂ’s one-time pin-up boy Paolo Maldini. Or maybe German skipper Michael Ballack who, judging by his Chelsea form, looks like he is already preparing for retirement in the sunshine.
America’s Major League Soccer has what is being dubbed “the Beckham rule” — which means one player per team can be paid over and above the salary cap, which is just over £1m a year per team.
But the view is if BeckhamÂ’s switch is a success, the rulebook will be hurled out of the window. MLS is backed by BeckhamÂ’s major sponsor, adidas, and is looking to try and recapture the glory days of the North American Soccer League of the 1970s.
That was when the New York Cosmos reigned supreme with Pele and Franz Beckenbauer strutting their stuff. But the real challenge is to sustain the interest after the initial surge of enthusiasm.
Soccer is hugely popular with younger kids and the womenÂ’s game is booming. But it has never sustained a big following among US sports fans brought up on the NFL, baseball and basketball.
When America staged the World Cup in 1994, grounds were packed out. When the womenÂ’s World Cup final was won by the USA in the Pasadena Rose Bowl in 1999, 90,000 were there to see it including US President Bill Clinton.
The scorer of the winning penalty, Brandy Chastain, whipped her top off and swung it round her head. That got soccer on the front pages all right!