'For anybody that doubts him, I predict Becks will probably have the last laugh'

Hargreaves on Beckham in [Owen Hargreaves column]

David Beckham's decision to leave Real Madrid for America caused a bit of shock in some quarters. However, it was not a surprise to me at all. If you look at Becks and what he has achieved at Manchester United and Real Madrid I think this is a good step for him. I have played with him for a number of years and one thing about him is he loves a challenge. He showed that when he left Manchester United for Real Madrid. He went to Spain to experience how football is abroad. I think it is commendable that people take on these new challenges rather than sticking with a comfortable situation. Becks still wants to achieve a lot in his career and has set himself goals - this is probably one of them.

I am close to Becks but it is not something we have discussed before - he had a contract with Real after all. But what he brings to a league that is not that popular at the moment is a big name and he is going to be hugely influential. It also opens the door for others to go over there and play and I am sure you will see some other star players commit their future to MLS. There are a lot of players who have gone to play in Qatar or Dubai but personally I think it would be more interesting to be a part of something potentially big being built. There is a lot of potential there, it just needs people like Becks to promote it.

He is going to be a massive figure, not only in football circles over there but the sporting world. I think he will create a lot of excitement that will be good for the league. He already has that profile in the rest of the world. A lot of people in North America - like my parents who went to Canada from England - have moved there from around the world, like the Italians, Spanish or South Americans. They are football fans because they grew up with it, so there is an audience there for football.

Everyone knows Becks, whether they are a football fan or not. So he is going to bring a lot more people to the games and a bigger fan base, not just the football enthusiasts or the kids but being global he will appeal for a lot of people. The league has a lot to offer but at the moment it cannot compete with the European leagues financially, but when that changes it will be very interesting to other players. Towards the end of my career I could definitely see myself playing over there. It would be interesting especially as I grew up in North America and certainly something to think about.

Becks has had his share of ups and downs over the years but in sports there has never been a player that has constantly gone up and up. What is so commendable is how he has come back from difficult times - there are a lot of people who have not. People will be saying that this is the end of his England career but in football anything is possible. It was only a few months ago that he was at the World Cup. But it comes down to what the team needs or what the manager picks. Everyone knows when they watch Becks he still has a lot to offer, but it is difficult because there is such a great group of young talents coming through like Aaron Lennon - competition for places is so tough.

It has been different not having Becks around the England squad since the World Cup because he was part of the set-up for so long. He was such an influential figure, but now he is not there and the team needs to move on. In football you do not always play with the same team. Injuries and suspensions happen so you get used to not having the same team and a good side needs to adapt. John Terry has stepped up to be the captain and has done a good job so far.

I was a bit surprised by Real's announcement that Becks will not play for them again. A contract is a contract - it is their decision what they want to do but it is possibly the first time I have heard of such a move. Players coming to the end of their contract are allowed to sign a contract with any club in January - that is the rule. At Bayern, Hasan Salihamidzic has just signed a deal with Juventus and I am sure he will play some games for us for the rest of the season. So only Real know the reasons for that but it seems a bit spiteful.

For Becks this is a new challenge and a new chapter. For anybody that doubts him, I predict Becks will probably have the last laugh. I admire him for everything he has achieved and the way he has handled it - not many people could have withstood what he has gone through. It takes a unique person and that is why he is a good example for people to look up to. I have had nothing but great experiences with him.