Is it time for Beckham to turn his back on LA for Milan?

David Beckham starts in the Stadio Olimpico! Having not played a competitive fixture since October (some would claim he played his last for Real Madrid) David Beckham produced a solid if not understated performance in AC Milan's 2-2 draw against Roma, to silence some of his critics who were of the opinion he was too slow and too old to play at the highest level once more. I was not one of those critics.

Beckham has clearly made an impression at Milanello with Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Paolo Maldini all commenting on his application in training, which is nothing short of impeccable. A view which I share completely as I feel he is the consummate professional, who's football come first and always looks to prove doubters wrong.

Carlo Ancelotti, when asked about Beckham's inclusion, responded, "He worked hard in training this week and deserved his place. He played well and he has shown us in a small space of time that he is a tactically clever player, serious and well-balanced."
Beckham had been expected to start on the bench, but was played on the right of a three-man midfield, beside Clarence Seedorf and Andrea Pirlo. Taking into account his apparent lack of match fitness, he has done remarkably well, especially against one of the top sides in the league, with the Gazzetta dello Sport and the Corriere dello Sport both giving Beckham a respectable 6/10.

I for one think this loan spell will be of great benefit to both club and player. Beckham will receive the competitive games he wants and needs while giving AC Milan his world-class services in their bid for domestic and European success. Some points to note, will the loan spell be extended? Will he sign permanently? Or will he go back to Los Angeles?

It has been rumoured, if he impresses the Milan staff, the loan spell could be made permanent. Rumours not refuted by Beckham himself, "The agreement is to go back to LA on 8 or 9 March and we'll enjoy it until then and then see," he told BBC Sport.

With Leonardo, AC Milan technical director fuelling these rumors, "We have an agreement that he will stay for two months (but) everything is possible. We will see."

As a player who causes an endless media scrum wherever he goes, questions will be asked every day about his intentions, I hope he stays as I feel he can add masses to the Milan side, maybe even help them win the Scudetto

Will he stay? Will he go? Who knows? Should he stay? Should he go? A matter open to debate .

Will Italian star snatch Ronaldo's crown!

After Cristiano Ronaldo swept the board in all the major individual footballing awards, the question of who shall be his successor has begun? The obvious choice will of course be Lionel Messi of Barcelona, but I put forward Alessandro Del Piero. The Juventus trequartista has enjoyed a fantastic return to form over the last two years and is most definitely in with an opportunity.

After the humiliation of Calciopoli and relegation into Serie B for the first time in their history, Juventus have reclaimed their place as a top Italian and European side. Thanks can go to a few who stuck by La Vecchia Signora during her hour of need, and a special mention must go to a man who represents a great historic club with impeccable dignity. Alessandro Del Piero, a true legend of Calcio.

After scoring the winning free-kick against Siena at the weekend, Del Piero has already equalled his record of scoring 6 free-kicks in a season, a mean feat for one who was written off by many after extensive and countless injury layoffs. However, in recent times he has risen to new heights, both domestically and in Europe.

Breaking into the Juventus side in 1993 a young fresh faced trequraista lit up the Stadio delle Alpi with his touch, pace, vision and predatory instinct a kin to that of the great Paolo Rossi. Without question a star was born and tipped for the very pinnacle of world football.

An integral part of Marcelo Lippi's Juventus side of the late 90's, Del Piero lead from the front, linking up with the likes of Gianluca Vialli and Fabrizio Ravanelli, then Zinedine Zidane and Filippo Inzaghi. However, two very serious knee injuries threatened the career of the promising forward and upon his return it was clear he was not the same player. Year after year glimpses of his once great talent came to the fore, but the footballing world did not sit up and take notice as it once did.

In recent times, an aging Alessandro Del Piero, has seemingly fulfilled that great potential evident in his early career, and is certainly having a renaissance of lasting magnitude. This Began in Serie B, where he was capocannoniere (the highest scorer in Italian football), and lead the march of the Old Lady back into Serie A. Continuing his fantastic form last season, he was capocannoniere of Serie A for the first time in his career, capping off a fantastic term for Juventus who subsequently qualified for the Champions League.

During this triumphant rejoining of Italy's top flight he scored 21 goals in 37 games, a marvellous endeavour in a league that is notoriously difficult to score in. His resurgence has resulted in a call up to the international set-up, and high praise from pundits and fans all over Europe.

This season Del Piero is certainly on fire. He has continued his scoring run with 13 goals so far in all competitions and coupled this with numerous assists to boot. In the Champions League he has been a match winner for Juventus on a number of occasions where two magnificent goals at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid ensured he was given a standing ovation by the whole crowd, including the Madrid fans.

Influencing games with increasing regularity, scoring ever more spectacular goals and driving his beloved Juventus towards the Scudetto and Champions League. If he continues in this vein for the remainder of the season, I for one would champion him to become 2009 Ballon d'Or winner/FIFA World Player of the Year.