If there was ever any doubt that David Beckham and AC Milan are meant for each other, that doubt vanished Sunday evening.
It was evident in the body language of the Milan players, in the words of the Milan coach and in the behavior of the Galaxy's highest-paid and highest-profile player.
Beckham turned in a performance that made nonsense of claims that at 34 he is either over the hill or no longer interested. He ran tirelessly and provided the passes that led to both Los Angeles goals as the Galaxy tied AC Milan, 2-2, before a sellout crowd of 27,000 at the Home Depot Center.
When Beckham was taken out of the match in the 75th minute, a telling moment took place. He walked off the field, shook hands with Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena and then strolled over to the AC Milan bench and put his arm around AC Milan Coach Leonardo's neck as they exchanged a couple of words.
Beckham then gave Brazil's 1994 World Cup winner a thumbs-up sign and went back to the Galaxy bench.
At the final whistle, the Beckham-AC Milan love-in was even more on display. He posed for photographs with the Rossoneri's support staff, hugged veteran forward Filippo Inzaghi and midfielder Ronaldinho and had his hair tousled or his hand slapped by several other Milan players.
Everyone seemed genuinely happy to see him again.
Beckham spent six months on loan with the Serie A team, leaving at the end of the Italian season in May. Now, he looks like a player who very much wants to be back in red and black colors come January.
Leonardo believes it could happen. He was quoted on the team's website Saturday as saying he would favor Beckham's return. "David had and has a good rapport with all of us," he said. "Moreover, he is a good person. . . . I don't think there is anything strange to say that he could come back into my plans, because he can fit into any system."
On Sunday evening, Leonardo reiterated that stance.
"If it's possible, I think it could be a very good thing for us," he said. "He knows everyone. Everyone loves him in our club. If it's possible, we'll see in the future."
The game itself was entertaining, although marked by the hostile reception Beckham received from the more passionate Galaxy fans who do not appreciate his obviously split allegiance.
AC Milan took the field with only five of its usual starters: the talismanic Ronaldinho, veteran Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf, Marek Jankulovski, Massimo Ambrosini and 2006 World Cup-winning defender Alessandro Nesta.
