Qataris Bring Beckham to Paris

By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

The Qatari ownership group of Parisian soccer giants Paris St.-Germain acquired international soccer superstar David Beckham for the rest of the Ligue 1 season as part of a five month loan deal. Beckham even announced that he would donate his entire salary for the five-month s to a local children’s charity.

Beckham  is now in the twilight of his career at the age of 37. But he has a world of experience, having played for such clubs as Manchester United, A.C. Milan, and most recently the L.A. Galaxy of the United States’ Major League Soccer. He was also former captain of the English national team. And off the pitch, he is a celebrity on virtually every continent, not to mention his ongoing career as a television model for such brands as H & M. “It’s an exciting city — it always has been, and it always will be,” Beckham said of Paris. “But now there’s a club that’s going to have a lot of success over the next 10, 15, 20 years.”

Paris St.-Germain has been spending freely to add such star players as Thiago Silva, Lucas Moura, and coach Carlo Ancelotti. And, Beckham will be joining PSG’s biggest star, prolific striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has Muslim ties.

Fabien Barthez, a former goalkeeper for France’s national team who played with Beckham at Manchester United, said the move was good for French soccer, which has often taken a backseat to the English and Spanish leagues. “It shakes things up,” he told France Info radio. “It’s true that there are some who will always talk,” he went on, referring to criticisms that Beckham represents little more than a grab for publicity. “But we know that music.”  Barthez added, “You mustn’t forget what the guy has lived, and all the experience, all this lived experience that he can bring to the young players and the team.”

“I haven’t spoken French for quite a few years, since I was in school,” said Beckham, sending cameras clicking as he flashed his signature smile. “So, yeah, that’s quite a few years. I’m definitely going to have to brush up on it.” His wife Victoria, and his three sons, will remain in London during the loan spell.

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