Goldenballs’ long-awaited bow

America’s greatest export since democracy has made his debut for AC Milan. David Beckham made his first appearance since his loan move from LA Galaxy in a friendly against Hamburg. The match ended 1-1, with Milan winning 4-3 on penalties. Becks passed a late fitness test to start the match before being withdrawn at half-time.

Goldenballs left knackered by AC Milan training session

David Beckham was apparently left so exhausted by the step up in intensity from LA Galaxy to AC Milan training sessions that doctors feared for his health. The ex-England skipper could barely stand after the session at Milan’s training camp in Dubai. And during a session of 30 second spells of rigorous exercise, Becks was left struggling to recuperate in time for the next workout.

At one point, a medic reportedly made Beckham get his pulse checked to ensure he was not in any danger.

Chilean duo fight it out Stevie G style

Inter Milan’s Luis Jimenez and Mauricio Pinilla of Vasco da Gama are not the best of friends. It all stems from rumours in the press that Pinilla slept with Jimenez’s wife, Maria Jose Lopez. So when they happened to not only be in the same country, but also the same Santiago nightclub it all got a bit nasty.

Jimenez is alleged to have set upon his love rival with a blunt instrument after Pinilla refused to heed warnings to stay away from the nightclub. Pinilla later received hospital treatment for injuries to his head and neck.

Milan new boy gets sweat on pristine white outfits

All the talk was of the security risks posed by David Beckham to the good people of Dubai nutters with bombs in the Emirate wanted to blow him up. Instead he has been posing for photos with a couple of Manchester City fans.

Der, der, der, der, click, click

There is some spooky activity at the San Siro, where some sort of Addams Family tribute act seems to be in the process of being put together.

A truly Special celebration

A post-goal celebration pile-on is not unusual on a football pitch, but you don’t expect to see the manager leading the charge. Jose Mourinho got a bit overexcited after Maicon scored a late winner for Inter Milan against Siena and flung himself on the back of his underdressed hero. His dry cleaner will be pleased with the extra work anyway!

Spotted on 101GreatGoals

It’s number 32 if you’re buying a Christmas present that will last for about two months

If you thought David Beckham’s loan move to AC Milan was nothing more than a cynical marketing ploy then think again. Here he is being presented with his shirt five days before Christmas ahead of joining the club in January. Hmm…

Milan president Adriano Galliani seems to be licking his lips at the prospect (no doubt Marco Borriello is too!).

The Champions League draw has thrown the old Premier League sparring partners together. Here’s a look at Jose and Fergie’s harshest and kindest words for each other.

“In the second half it was whistle and whistle, fault and fault, cheat and cheat. The referee controlled the game in one way during the first half but in the second they had dozens of free-kicks. I know the referee did not walk to the dressing rooms alone at half-time”
The Special One unveils Fergie’s half-time escort services.
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Becks’ new team-mate looks forward to eyeing up his tackle

It is not long now until David Beckham links up with his new team-mates at AC Milan, and one in particular is waiting with bated breath for the LA Galaxy man’s arrival. Striker Marco Borriello cannot wait to find out just how good Armani’s Photoshop skills are.

He said: “I must admit I have a dressing room curiosity over Beckham. I want to see if he is equipped as he is in the Armani underwear adverts.”

Sounds like Borriello is very curious indeed.

Spotted on The Spoiler

A celebration that’s begging for a yellow card

It’s a late entry, but the 2008 Stephen Ireland Award for Most Psychologically Disturbed Goal Celebration goes to Mirko Vucinic for his response to his last-gasp winner against Cagliari at the weekend. The Roma man stripped off his shirt to reveal… another Roma shirt, before whipping off his shorts to parade around in his Y-fronts. And not even a personalised slogan in sight!

Spotted on The Offside