David Beckham insists he can handle any criticism from LA Galaxy fans when he returns to Major League Soccer.
The 33-year-old midfielder has upset some supporters with his desire to remain with Milan in Italy rather than return for the start of the MLS season.
But he told BBC Sport: “The booing, the criticism, I’ve had it all before. That side of it doesn’t bother me.
“Real football people will turn around and say ‘he’s passionate about playing for his country and knows what he needs to do to make that happen’.”
Beckham had been scheduled to return to Galaxy on 9 March but wanted to make a permanent move to the San Siro.
After weeks of negotiations, he eventually agreed a dual contract after Milan baulked at the size of the transfer fee Galaxy were demanding. He will now return to Los Angeles on 10 July and return to Milan next January.
Beckham argues that he needs to be playing top-flight football in order to give himself every chance of winning a place in Fabio Capello’s England squad for next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
But former Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas, who brokered the $250m deal that took Beckham to MLS in January 2007, said: “He’ll get booed and it’s of his own making,” said Lalas.
But Beckham responded: “If I do get that, I’m sure my team-mates will rally round me.”
He also insisted he was “committed” to the Galaxy and MLS.
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