From zero to hero: Beckham has been a revelation since
arriving at the San Siro
Two of Italy's top newspapers have apologised to David
Beckham and admitted they were wrong to criticise Milan's decision
to take him on loan.
Top sports commentator Mario Sconcerti issued a front page
apology in the Corriere Della Sera after he had originally branded
it a ''mistake'' to sign the England midfielder for three months.
But he was forced to eat humble pasta pie after Beckham's arrival
sparked an upturn in fortunes at Milan.
The respected Gazzetta dello Sport also issued an apology to
Becks, who has been a revelation since arriving at the San Siro
where he has scored two goals, and on Sunday provided two key
assists to help his side to a 3-0 win at Lazio - a result which
propelled them to second in the Serie A table.
Sconcerti wrote: 'I have made a mistake - David is working. 'I
believe it is right that I acknowledge the contribution David
Beckham has made to Milan and that I made some mistakes in his
valuation.
'I was in company with others but that is no excuse and it is
only right that I put up my hand.' Sconcerti added:'We were all
sceptical to begin with but David has won and we apologise. Beckham
has been important to Milan.
'It is the ease, I would say the natural way, that Beckham has
brought balance to Milan and which has not been seen before and we
would thought we would never see. 'He is not mobile but he makes
the ball run. He is not a marker but he occupies well space and he
is in good shape.
'But above all he understands the game, he knows how to play
simple football and it is rare to find a midfielder with such
harmony. 'His fitness and his ability to move the game that have
given Milan a different step. Now Milan play more, they are still a
little slow but they make the ball run and this is ideal for Kaka
and Pato.
'All this has led to the exclusion of Ronaldinho but that is
another story and maybe here I do not need to apologise.'
Big hit: David Beckham has inspired Milan's climb up the
table
Meanwhile, it also emerged yesterday that more than 3000 Beckham
shirts at 70 Euro a go have been sold by the official club shop
since he arrived in December. As part of the deal that took him to
Milan Beckham is entitled to half the shirt sales so in little more
than a month he has also made a cool 100,000 Euro.
A source at the shop said: 'The shirt is selling really well -
it's the most popular and we have to reorder them every day as soon
as we put them out they get snapped up.'