David Beckham has hit back at LA Galaxy
team-mate Landon Donovan for suggesting he has shown a lack of
commitment.
Beckham has returned to the Galaxy after a five-month loan at AC
Milan with Donovan's comments on his mind.
"It is unprofessional in my eyes," said Beckham, who plans to
speak Donovan about the matter.
"In 17 years, I have played with the biggest teams in the world
and the biggest players and not once been criticised for my
professionalism."
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United States captain Donovan made his comments in a book called
'The Beckham Experiment'.
He said Beckham's level of dedication to the Major League Soccer
club had waned since his arrival in July 2007, despite the
34-year-old former England skipper being paid "more than double
anybody in the league".
But Beckham said: "In every football player's eyes throughout
the world it would be unprofessional to speak out about a
team-mate, 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."
Beckham will come face-to-face with Donovan when he returns to
training with the Galaxy on Monday and is set to return to action
for the side against New York Red Bulls on 16 July.
The England midfielder could get a hostile reception from some
fans but insists the problems between himself and Donovan will not
seep on to the pitch to the detriment of the side.
"I'm personally very professional when I am on the field," said
Beckham, who has endured a tough time with a Galaxy side that
failed to reach the play-offs at the end of his first season and
parted company with manager Ruud Gullitt.
"I don't care what people say about me off the field, once I'm
on the field I'm professional and if there is a chance for him to
score, I will be giving him the ball.
"Me and Landon will talk, but that will be a private
conversation."
Donovan, who spent a spell on loan at Bayern Munich while
Beckham was with AC Milan, played in LA Galaxy's 1-0 victory over
Chivas USA on Saturday.
He has refused to apologise for his comments, although he
regrets the way they have come out.
"I don't apologise for what I said," Donovan told the LA Galaxy
website. "I just apologise for the way I did it.
"I should have told him to his face. I've long told David since
he's been gone and I've been gone that I want to sit down and talk
with him about everything.
"It's fresh in everyone's minds now, and it appears like
everything has gone on in a short period of time, but this has been
a long time coming.
"The timing of it makes it a little awkward and seemingly
uncomfortable, but we'll be fine. We'll get through it."
He added: "We all like David. I like David as a person and I
think he's a very good player.
"The frustrating part was at some point something happened and
he seemingly turned off at the end of the year.
"Nobody knows what it was, and my fault is I should have asked
him and approached him and I didn't.
"Instead I vented to a reporter and I regret it."