David Beckham Lovers

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Hold on to your hats-according to (subscription required), David Beckham wants to make Cristiano Ronaldo his first major signing when his MLS franchise in Miami gets up and running.

If that sounds fanciful, it is surely because it is. Here's the paper's evidence for the scoop-an unnamed "MLS source" (via the ):

Becks understands the need for a big, big name in the team when it gets going.

And none come bigger than Ronaldo-the world's greatest player.

Ronaldo loves America and all that it offers.

It's not a secret he has thought about finishing his career here, about living here-so a deal like this could be perfect for him.

It is a long way off yet-we're talking 2017-but it clearly demonstrates the ambition of the Beckham franchise.

Asking if Beckham would like Ronaldo to play for his team is a bit like asking a child whether he'd like some Christmas presents. Wanting it to happen doesn't mean it will.

Even by 2017, when Ronaldo will be 32 years old, he is still likely to be one of the finest players in the game.

While Thierry Henry was the same age when he departed Europe for the New York Red Bulls, he was on the fringes of the Barcelona team at that stage. A lot will have to happen for Ronaldo to be similarly marginalised at club level. Even if he were, there'd be no shortage of suitors, not least Manchester United.

This is classic Beckham-style publicity. Of course, Ronaldo would not even consider joining the MLS until his career is well and truly done. [...] Sure, when he's 36 then Ronaldo would probably fit right in to the Miami lifestyle. But putting this kind of rumour out there ensures that the new Miami team is suddenly regarded as a potential destination for top players, even when it really should not be seen as such.

Forget Beckham-Ronaldo turning up in the MLS at somewhere near the peak of his career would have the potential to bring the sport into the American mainstream.

Just don't count on it happening.