• Ligue 1

Ancelotti praises 'model pro' Beckham

ESPN staff
February 5, 2013
David Beckham played under Carlo Ancelotti when on loan at AC Milan in 2009 © PA Photos
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David Beckham has been put through his paces as a Paris Saint-Germain player for the first time with praise from Carlo Ancelotti ringing in his ears.

Though Beckham, 37, will not join up with the rest of the PSG squad until February 13, he donned the French club's training kit for an individual session in London on Sunday with Ancelotti's assistant coach Paul Clement, as well as a physio and fitness coach from the French capital.

When he was presented to the media after signing a five-month deal at the Parc des Princes last Thursday, Beckham admitted it would take time for him to "get up to speed" physically as his last competitive action came with Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS final on December 1.

The former England captain's PSG debut is likely to come in the club's last-16 Coupe de France tie with arch-rivals Marseille in Paris on February 27.

While scepticism over Beckham's move to the Parc des Princes remains high, Ancelotti has little doubt the man he coached during a loan spell at AC Milan in 2009 can still contribute on the pitch.

"It's true he's 37, but he's still a player. I remember a player who won the Champions League at 39, his name is Maldini," the former Chelsea boss told BeIN Sport.

"Firstly, I think at 37, if you still have the motivation, you're still good physically, you can play, and David has not had a lot of injuries in his career. Secondly, he's the most serious and most professional player I've ever met."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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