Join Now  | 
Home About Contact Us Privacy & Security Advertise
Soccer America Daily Special Edition Around The Net Soccer Business Insider College Soccer Reporter Youth Soccer Reporter Soccer on TV Soccer America Classifieds
Paul Gardner: SoccerTalk Soccer America Confidential Youth Soccer Insider World Cup Watch
RSS Feeds Archives Manage Subscriptions Subscribe
Order Current Issue Subscribe Manage My Subscription Renew My Subscription Gift Subscription
My Account Join Now
Tournament Calendar Camps & Academies Soccer Glossary Classifieds
Pele: 'Pop Star' Becks Better Focus on Soccer
ESPN Soccernet, July 30th, 2007 3:30PM
Subscribe to Section 2 Around the Net


MOST READ


Pele, the Brazilian widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, has fired a warning to the L.A. Galaxy's David Beckham, warning him that achieving glory in MLS will be far tougher than many think. Beckham has repeatedly stated that his intention in coming to America is to raise the profile of soccer in the U.S. It's plain for anyone to see that he's already raised its visibility, but Pele warns that the former England captain must focus less on being a celebrity and more on being a soccer player to achieve his goal.

"David Beckham is more of a pop star than a player," he said. "From my experience with New York Cosmos, I would advise him to be very well prepared for the matches. I know the level of play in the league. It is well balanced, and the spectators will demand a lot from him as their star player. But when there's no training or practice, then he can stroll through Hollywood."

Beckham has yet to be given significant playing time with the Galaxy after suffering an injury to his left ankle six weeks ago while playing for England. He made a 15-minute appearance as a substitute for the Galaxy against Chelsea of English Premier League but has missed the Galaxy's last two games and is likely to sit out Tuesday's SuperLiga match against FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park.

Read the original story...



No comments yet.

Sign in to leave a comment. Don't have an account? Join Now


AUTHORS

ARCHIVES
FOLLOW SOCCERAMERICA

Recent Section 2 Around the Net
Report: Barca Ponders Vilanova Backup Plan    
In his first press conference after returning from cancer treatment in the United States, Barcelona coach ...
Reports: Mourinho Future to be Decided This Week    
Reports in Spain suggest that Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho's future could be decided this week, ...
Fiorentina Angry as Milan Edges UCL Berth     
There was high-drama in Italy on Sunday as the Serie A season came to a close. ...
Beckham's Emotional Farewell     
In a weekend of emotional farewells, David Beckham was perhaps the most emotional. As he was ...
Steve Clarke Interprets Fergie's Final Words     
Following his last game in charge of Manchester United, which finished by the astonishing score line ...
Confusion Reigns Over Neymar's Price     
According to reports in Spain, the going rate for Barcelona target Neymar has suddenly jumped: Marca ...
UCL Spots Up for Grabs This Weekend    
Arsenal and Tottenham aren't the only two teams fighting for the final UEFA Champions League berth ...
Ferguson: 'I Pressured Referees'    
Ahead of his final game in charge of Manchester United this weekend, Alex Ferguson admits that ...
Media Reacts to Beckham's Retirement    
Global media have spent the last 24 hours eulogizing (and in some cases, criticizing) David Beckham's ...
Kidd to Stay on Despite City Exodus    
Brian Kidd, Manchester City's caretaker manager for the remainder of the season, said that the firing ...
>> Section 2 Around the Net Archives