Photo by ISIphotos.com
When Landon Donovan's comments bashing LA teammate David Beckham were released in excerpts from the upcoming book, "The Beckham Experiment" you just knew Beckham wouldn't be happy. Well, it didn't take long for him to respond.
Speaking to media during a charity event in California, Beckham addressed Donovan's comments, calling them extremely unprofessional.
"It's unprofessional in my eyes," Beckham said of Donovan's comments. "In every soccer player's eyes throughout the world it would be unprofessional to speak out about a teammate especially in the press and not to your face.
"But I'm going to turn it on a positive spin because that's what this needs. But in 17 years, I have played with the biggest teams in the world and the biggest players and not once have I been criticized for my professionalism. It's important to get this cleared up and I will be speaking to Landon either this evening or over the next couple of days."
Bruce Arena is going to earn every penny of his MLS-high salary as LA Galaxy head coach if he can make the Donovan-Beckham relationship work now.
Do yo think it can still work? Can Donovan and Beckham co-exist, or do you see things in LA getting ugly? Think Beckham is right? Or do you side with Donovan and believe his criticisms of Beckham to be valid?
Share your thoughts below.
Sweeper,
I don’t really agree with you, but I do admire your anger.
-Mike
I’m with Matoomba and BlueWhiteLion. They’re both in the wrong. They might get past it, but they’ll destroy the Galaxy trying.
Beckham deserves the criticism, but for Landon to go public wasn’t the best idea. And of course Beckham just called Landon out in the press as unprofessional, so he’s no better.
Donovan should have said it in private to Becks. Donovan took this to a public forum, and now he has to deal with the repercussions.
Thems the rules.
Landon has been a whiney little bitch since day one. “You won’t let me play in Europe, Now I’m not Captain, He makes more money than me, Look at me, Look at me, damn it, Look at me, Why does he get more press than I do when he not even in the country.” Man up Landon and admit what everyone already knows – you’d abandon the LA Galaxy & MLS for Europr like rats from the Titanic if the clown-like Lalas would let you & if there were any takers for your particluar brand of pretty-boy, prima-donna football. Face it, you’ll never be as good a footballer as Becks, you’ll never make as much money as Becks, you’ll never get as much attention as Becks, and finally, you’ll never tap a piece of ass as good-looking as Mrs. Becks. Boo-hoo, my heart bleeds for you.
Landon is right that Becks wasn’t a good teammate. Becks is right that Landon was unprofessional to voice his criticism to a journalist. Then Becks takes the hypocritical road by voicing his criticism of Donovan to a journalist…
But sure it can work on the field, particularly if both learn from the other’s criticism. If they’re men and acknowledge their missteps and move on, then all is well.
Posted by: Mattoomba | July 12, 2009 at 12:01 AM
With that, I am in 100% agreement. Landy has been growing as a man, and his snafu with Wahl, and the fallout that has caused, will help him grow even more. Beckham has been regressing. Still want him in the league, tho.
Life is kinda like that. People (hmmm, even these posters) make mistakes, show themselves to be idiots, self-serving, ad nauseum.
But will they learn from it and grow beyond it?
Donovan looks like a trouble maker thru all of this. I think that could put off many big european teams
Oh poor David has been criticized. I see the makings of another Adidas commercial where he passes through another dark period. Why must the world persecute him for his genius.
I think Beckham is in denial. He should look at the tape and raise his hand and admit that he gave less than his best in the second half of the season for the first time in his storied career. Maybe it was because he wasn’t at a “big club” and didn’t feel like these pub players were worth the effort.
Remember when Alex Ferguson kicked a boot after an FA Cup loss and busted Beckham’s eye? That was my favorite part.
Going to the press may have been unprofessional, but it doesn’t make Landon’s statements any less true!!!
Also Beckham says he has always been professional, but it sure doesn’t seem professional to take off half a year when things get tough…especially when you are the captain.
Goldenballs has none! Buck Feckham!
Beckham’s comments read to me like barely veiled contempt for American soccer – “in every soccer player’s eyes throughout the world it would be unprofessional…”
He still doesn’t take MLS seriously.
Oh and KPUGS – you are so RIGHT. F***ING. ON. I hate this guy.
So when is it professional to orchestrate you leaving the team you currently are under contract for another team and then miss half the season for the team you are under said contract? The MLS is not the highest quality football but don’t come to the league and then try to get out of it when you and your wife aren’t reaping the benefits of Hollywood that you thought you would
landon was 100% correct
becks is an idiot
THere both douchebags but cause L.D. is a USA Nat I’ll side with him!!
Yo Quakes fan, I couldn’t agree more about Fulham. The problem is that I think after an arguably successful spell at Bayern Landycakes is going to set his sights on a massive club somewhere.
I personally would love to see Fulham get him because he (in my opinion, obviously) would walk into the first team and most likely not suffer the learning curve that so many Americans deal with in Europe. But he will command a large fee that Fulham may not pay–or might, since they are on the up and up and in Europe. Very good point my friend, well said.
Beckham is 100% right, but there has never been reason to question his professionalism before. He was the ultimate professional.
In this situation, I could care less if it was Beckham’s “people” that caused it. I am not stupid enough to pretend he was clueless. He’s just protecting himself by having others do his dirty work, as happens all the time with celebrities. That way Beckham can claim ignorance and defend his perfect reputation.
10 years ago he was one of my favorite players on the planet. Now I just think he’s not only fake, but is also crapping on my home league by thinking we as fans are stupid, and making power plays behind the scenes. It’s pathetic, and enrages me to no end.
And I’m not a big Donovan fan in MLS, never have been because he acts like a diva in the league, and proves how professional he can be for team USA. You’ll almost never see me stick up for Donovan, but I will here, no doubt.
And I’m not a big Donovan fan in MLS, never have been because he acts like a diva in the league, and proves how professional he can be for team USA. You’ll almost never see me stick up for Donovan, but I will here, no doubt.
Landon needs to leave LA. While some players plateau, Landon is still getting better, and needs to play in the EPL to realize his full potential. With Fulham getting ready to sell Zamora, the Cottagers could be a nice fit…
Surprisingly (even to myself) I think they are both consummate professionals ( who have both made serious mistakes in the past) and i think they will rise to the occasion, and LA will get slightly better because of a reason to prove themselves.
Sir LandonLot FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thats a great picture. Becks is like “Girl Please!”
My only worry is if this will come back to bite Landon in the butt as he tries to make a real move to Europe. There is nothing good for LD in this whole situation – he’s been completely screwed by the Beckhamania fiasco.
thats funny beckham cuz i swore that Ferguson questioned your professionalism when you were at man united.
Also, isnt it a little hypocritical for Beckham to criticize Donovan in public for criticizing Beckham in public….haha i had to read that last part a couple of times
Lmfao michael !! Everythme go check out the soccer sites I ask my self the same question!!! I guess they giving him n agoos till the end of the year……. N honestly … Do u guys really cares about what LD is saying oe really what anyone is saying?!?!?at the end of da day he will still rack up a large amount of Money n do u think he really care bout someo e who make only 22k a year ?!? He could care less…
Michael are you serious? And so when Mourinho calls out a player in the press or one of Benitezs’ rants those aren’t happening in europe? I’m so tired of the whole what would europe do? attitude everyone has, DB tanked it, we all know it, Landon tried to talk to him according to the book, but DB blew him off, I think thats what set up the frustration, we all questioned becks commitment and at the time we got the popcorn answers from everyone like they were afraid to criticise him, but landon wasn’t.
All this hype and talk is irrelevant. Beckham has dealt with this all his career he played for REAL MADRID for crying out loud i dont think LA Galaxy is going to shake him. All that matters is he, donovan, and the galaxy produce in the field period.
Beckham was wrong for turning his back on his team and Donovan was wrong for talking behind Beckham’s back to the press.
If Donovan was smart he would have called Beckham out face to face and when that didn’t work, and it wouldn’t, call him out in the press.
OFF TOPIC:
CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHY JCO STILL HAS A JOB?
Classic case of two wrongs don’t make a right. Beckham should have paid for the meals, supported the team away when he was injured and not mailed it in. But Landon, going to the press and not talking to Becks first? Very unprofessional and kinda chicken sh*t. I’m actually more surprise at Donovan’s actions than David’s. I think LD is always honest and forthcoming to the press, but this was a big mistake. I fear European teams will look at this and think he may not be worth the risk of signing. If you were his teammate, would you trust him?
Can’t wait til the movie version comes out.
Lindsay Lohan as Beckham and Britney as Landycakes. Or maybe Bald Britney as Becks..
Ah, so many options.
Shut your mouth and commit to something other than yourself.
I agree with Quality. The first RBNY-Galaxy game was fantastic, and the second was mediocre. One was because the RB gave up the win in the last minute because of LD (and almost the point a minute later!) But the other reason was that Becks was terrible and had no influence on the game. It was LD who almost won the game for them. I doubt that the entire book is Becks bashing, and the excerpts were the tastiest comments. I should get the book by the same day as the RBNY-Galaxy game.
As has been pointed out several times now, Alex Ferguson openly questioned Beckham’s professionalism after Beckham decided being a brand was as important as being a footballer.
Being a huge Galaxy fan it was disgusting seeing Beckham not attend games when he was hurt, skipping away games, and generally being a wanker when his dream LA trip stopped being a dream. As fans, we got a lot of jerseys, and as a player Beckham learned the joy of In n Out. Hell, even TomKat stopped hanging out with him 🙂
Long live Landon Donovan!
Okay, I like Beckham, I think he is good for the game, I think that the management of the Galaxy, really had no balls, if Beckham really wanted to come to MLS he would have done it with no demands.
But Beckhams team were smart and saw that Liewieke and Lalas had ZERO balls.
He knew those too could be stepped on and that is what happened. Lalas and Liewike have run the Galaxy into the ground I don’t blame Beckham for wanting to leave.
Donovan is the Hipocrite here he accuses Beckham of not paying at a restaurant and he could have just as well paid it as well or took Beckham over to the side and said,”hey most of these guys don’t make what you or me make in a day, since you invited them I think it would be a good idea of you picked it up to show you understand what they are going through>’
What does he do instead? Sit there and pay his half, what a punk.
I don’t blame Beckham for wanting to go to Milan. How is Beckham mailing it in last season when he gave the majority of the service to Donovan and Buddle for there goals?
Give me a break, this is all a joke, I love how everyone is so quick to bash Beckham when Dovovan is just as culpable for be an even worse teammate for not saying anything to Beckhams face from the start.
Posted by: bigtfw | July 12, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Becks is that you? 🙂 dude you’re a joke, side with the guy that actually cares about our league!
I’m amazed that this is just now coming to the surface. You don’t just write a book overnight, so someone had to have known these comments were on their way, yet it seems like everyone was blindsided when the excerpt was released.
The point being that surely Landon and Beckham knew these comments were going to go public, and yet neither one made any effort to go speak to the other in person to smooth things out beforehand? All of a sudden, they need to talk to each other to work things out? Right.
Wow, this could get interesting. Beckham basically questioning Donovan’s criticism in the press? Real professional DB. I think Donovan was right on the money and Beckham would love not to have to put on a Galaxy shirt again. His interview with FSC was terrible and you could tell DB had no connection to the team. He called Bruce “the manager.”
I think LD calling out DB in an interview was not a good move at all. As a leader, you have to go to someone one on one and address this. LD admitted his mistake and hopefully these guys can at least have a discussion but I don’t even think DB will even be in the same room with LD ever again.
My prediction is that DB will hold a grudge over this for the rest of his time with the Galaxy and LD and DB will never talk again. They will play with each other but they won’t talk to each other. Beckham’s ego and god complex will never be able to take criticism.
Beckham will be out of the Galaxy team after the summertime.
Who friggin’ cares! Beckham is washed up; this is the MLS; Wahl is the author; Donovan already apologised publically. Together = desperate story to increase attention. Please with this tripe!
Putting this in perspective, I can’t blame Mandon for his comments. I was a G’s season ticket holder and saw the change in Becks play, attitude, and effort. Frustration over 2 crappy years, and then finding out the so-called “MLS Embassador” went behind the organization’s back to play in Italy. I don’t care who you are, that is the definition of “unprofessional” and you deserve to be called out in public. Becks unprofessionalism is what lead to all this drama. He didn’t respect management, his team, the organization, fans, and the league. Make sure to view his first home game, because we will make it known how exactly G’s fans feel.
Okay, I like Beckham, I think he is good for the game, I think that the management of the Galaxy, really had no balls, if Beckham really wanted to come to MLS he would have done it with no demands.
But Beckhams team were smart and saw that Liewieke and Lalas had ZERO balls.
He knew those too could be stepped on and that is what happened. Lalas and Liewike have run the Galaxy into the ground I don’t blame Beckham for wanting to leave.
Donovan is the Hipocrite here he accuses Beckham of not paying at a restaurant and he could have just as well paid it as well or took Beckham over to the side and said,”hey most of these guys don’t make what you or me make in a day, since you invited them I think it would be a good idea of you picked it up to show you understand what they are going through>’
What does he do instead? Sit there and pay his half, what a punk.
I don’t blame Beckham for wanting to go to Milan. How is Beckham mailing it in last season when he gave the majority of the service to Donovan and Buddle for there goals?
Give me a break, this is all a joke, I love how everyone is so quick to bash Beckham when Dovovan is just as culpable for be an even worse teammate for not saying anything to Beckhams face from the start.
What landon said was true, should he have said it to his face, well yeah but its pretty obvious DB dosen’t like being criticised by anyone who he thinks is beneath him. This might not happen all over the world, but this happens here all the time.
This is exactly why the story is getting so much publicity, because Donovan is the first to question Beckham’s professionalism.
I will just be glad when the Beckham experiment on the field is over by November.
Donovan needs to punk Beckham’s arse on the pitch and be done with it. Landon needs to play somewhere, anywhere, in Europe, and ending up on the 1-up side of Beckham on this would be the right way to leave MLS. MLS knows its courtship of Beckham was a failure.
That said, Landon should have kept it within the locker room instead of running his mouth for a book. That just makes him look like a wuss.
Landon is right that Becks wasn’t a good teammate. Becks is right that Landon was unprofessional to voice his criticism to a journalist. Then Becks takes the hypocritical road by voicing his criticism of Donovan to a journalist…okay that’s two strikes against Becks.
But sure it can work on the field, particularly if both learn from the other’s criticism. If they’re men and acknowledge their missteps and move on, then all is well. Besides, on the field, you’re passing to a jersey, not to a personality.
(Related question: can a Metro with a tramp stamp be a man?)
First of all, Getting sent off for reacting in a childish manner in the world cup is professional?
Second, Ferguson sold him to Madrid exactly because he thought Beckham was more focused on his image and Brand Beckham than he was on football (not saying it was true but Ferguson believed it and has been on record as saying it).
who cares whether it was right or wrong-what matters is what they can do together going forward.
“But in 17 years, I have played with the biggest teams in the world and the biggest players and not once have I been criticized for my professionalism.”
That may be the douchiest comment I’ve ever read. I was seeing it from Becks’ perspective (as well as LD’s) before, but now I’m about 90% on LD’s side.
“But I’m going to turn it on a positive spin because that’s what this needs. But in 17 years, I have played with the biggest teams in the world and the biggest players and not once have I been criticized for my professionalism”
yeah, but he didnt tank in those 15 other years. we have all have eyes- it didnt take landon telling us…
Becks is right Mondon is unprofessional and jealous.
“But in 17 years, I have played with the biggest teams in the world and the biggest players and not once have I been criticized for my professionalism.”
Hmm, maybe because this was the first time you didn’t act in a professional manner??
I side with landycakes 100 percent…but this looks like it’s getting ugly.