Story highlights
David Beckham is yet to decide on his future after his first MLS Cup success
Galaxy beat Houston Dynamo 1-0 with Landon Donovan scoring to win third MLS title
Beckham is out of contract and has been linked with a return to Europe in January
Former England captain wants to play at the 2012 Olympics in his hometown London
Former England captain David Beckham insists he has yet to decide on his future after winning the Major League Soccer title for the first time on Sunday in what is expected to be his last game for Los Angeles Galaxy.
The iconic midfielder defied a pre-match injury to help Galaxy beat Houston Dynamo 1-0 to win the first MLS Cup for the first time in six years, and third overall.
Beckham’s five-year contract is now due to expire, but the former Real Madrid player said he has not decided whether to stay in the U.S. or return to Europe.
He has been linked with moves to French outfit Paris Saint Germain and English clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers after stating that he wants to play for Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.
“I’ve said before I need to sit back and relax and enjoy this moment and then decide what I’m going to do,” the 36-year-old told the MLS website, having clinched a league title in his third different country.
“I might talk in past tense every now and then, but it doesn’t mean I’m not coming back. At the end of the day, I need to decide what best for me, what’s best for the team and my family, and then we’ll see.”
Beckham missed training sessions in the build-up to the final with what was reported to be a cold, but the former Manchester United star revealed he was actually suffering from a hamstring injury.
“The hamstring, I tore on Tuesday and I had a little bit of a cold Wednesday morning, which I actually did, funny enough,” he said, before joking with reporters that it felt fine after celebrating with “champagne and beer.”
“The hamstring was something I was disappointed about because I think we’d had three tough games in nine days and I felt great on that Tuesday, (but) pulled up short on Tuesday with the hamstring.”
Despite the injury, Beckham played the full 90 minutes as the Galaxy won thanks to a second-half goal from U.S. forward Landon Donovan Los Angeles’ Home Depot Center stadium.
Coach Bruce Arena praised Beckham’s determination to play in the match, describing him as a “champion.”
“I’ve been around great athletes and competitors in my life in different sports and this guy is as good as they come – unbelievable desire to win and compete. He gutted it out tonight. He obviously wanted to be there. My hat is off to David.”
The former U.S. national coach said he will support Beckham whatever his next move, claiming he has earned the right to decide his own future.
“Whatever he decides to do, I support it 100% – he’s earned that,” said the 60-year-old. “If he decides to get on his horse and ride into the sunset or go elsewhere or retire, I support that.
“He’s earned it. He’s really earned the right to make the kind of decision he wants to make.”
Beckham returned the praise for Arena, who took over from Dutchman Ruud Gullit as full-time coach of the Galaxy in 2008.
“It’s been an amazing five years, amazing to be part of a team that Bruce has coached. It’s been the most enjoyable time of my career here in America the last few years, and this has just topped it off,” he said.
“Being successful always feels good. Proving people wrong feels even [better]. I think people doubted us. We’re the Galaxy, we’re the biggest club in this country and this league, and we’re proud tonight, we’re proud to be a part of this.”
