Tuesday, May 15, 2007

The next great Galactico?

Seems that AEG chief Tim Leiweke is already thinking about the next great Galaxy player. He told some sort of convention audience that the Galaxy has already thinking about bringing in David Beckham's replacement once Becks' career with the Galaxy is over.

Pure speculation here (but then again isn't that what makes sports fun?) but if we consider that in five years' time the Galaxy will get a name player on the other side of his prime, that means the player will be relatively young right now and either in his prime or nearing it. Yeah, I know. It's too bad that guy can't come now but instead will have played in at least one World Cup (probably) before he gets here but that's the reality of the situation.

Anyway, again, just speculating here, but this player would probably have to be 23-26 years of age and already a star. For instance, Leo Messi is too young. He's 20 right now. In five years, he'll still be well in his prime and sought after by the world's big clubs. Ronaldinho might be too old. He's 27. In five years, he'll have lost quite a bit of his speed and quickness and agility. He might still have the starpower element but I think he'll have more wear and tear at 32 then Beckham does now at 31.

Two players instantly jumped out at me: Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. Ronaldo is 22 so he'll still be in his prime years when Beckham's deal runs out. But Ronaldo signed a five-year deal with ManU so that falls in line with the Galaxy's own timeline.

Kaka is 25 and will still have enough left to star in five years but won't be on the upside of his career. Kaka's deal runs out in 2011 so it may or may not work out.

Anyone else care to take a shot in the dark at who could succeed Becks at the Galaxy in five years from now?

1 comment:

Kiet Dinh said...

How about Samuel Eto'o? He is a world-class striker that will put plenty of goals in the net. He's only 26 now, and I have little doubt that he would be able to dominate MLS defenses at age 31. If the Galaxy wants to progress as a true global football brand, they need to build on Beckham's star power with a prolific goal scorer.