Beckham


BECKHAM: “I AM HAVING FUN WITH MY TEAMMATES”
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2003

David Beckham appeared on the sixth day. The excitement he caused was beyond all expectations. The Hongta Sports press room was too small to hold all the international journalists covering the first public statement of Real Madrid's '23'. All the attendants were satisfied with the British midfielder's appearance. His constant smile conquered over 500 journalists present on the occasion.

-What did you find in Real Madrid?
-It is a bit different from what I had experienced before. I found many good things and, for the moment, I am having lots of fun during this preseason.

-Your first impressions of your adaptation to the team.
-I am feeling good, besides, all my teammates were helping me by speaking in English and trying to make me understand Spanish. They are all great players and I had fun playing with them.

-Are you not tired of having all the media and fans following every step you take? -I am used to it. It was the same in England. But it is not only happening with me. People also wants to know about the other team members. It is an honour to have so many people cheering and following us. For me this is part of football.

-How are you getting on with your Spanish?
-My teammates are trying to help me. Roberto Carlos taught me a few words the other day while we were at the massage room. I am progressing little by little.

-Carlos Queiroz has put you on the right flank, is it any different from the way you played in United?
-It is a bit different because I have to move further to the centre. I must admit this is the most comfortable position for me.

-Do you already have any idea why you did not play Real Madrid in the Champions League?
-This is just the past. I keep very good memories of my phase in Manchester United. Now I am a Real Madrid player and I just care about my team. I have joined a great squad with extraordinary players. People expect a lot from us.

-Do you expect to have less pressure from the gossip magazines in Madrid?
-I met some of them when I first came to Madrid, but that's ok, because I am used to it. There is nothing I can do.

-What made you come to the Spanish Liga?
-It is different from the Premier League, where I have been playing for twelve years. It is a great opportunity because it is one of the best leagues in the world.


-You must be very eager to focus on football now and forget a bit about non-sporting issues, mustn't you?

-I am only thinking about playing football. I have had a very busy summer with several commercial promotions. I just want to talk about football and play it, which is my profession.

-Being the King in Manchester, having won everything with your former Club, what made you come to Real Madrid?
-I have known many players that have come to Spain to play and they have told me very good things about the Championship. It is a very exciting experience to play in Real, and also a good chance to play with the best footballers in the world. I think there was no better way to leave Manchester United.

-Have your teammates passed on to you the obssession to win the European Cup?
-It is true that winning thhe Champions League is important for every club, but, from what my teammates have told me, it is something special in Real Madrid. It is one of the biggest world tournaments and we are going to fight for it this year.

-What share in your success might be due to Carlos Queiroz?
-I worked with him in United last year. He will try to help me to adapt, but his training sessions are in Spanish, and I still find it hard to understand what he is asking for.

-Can your characteristics help you succeed in the Spanish Liga?
-Maybe. It is too soon to see that. The first thing is to see how I fit in with the system and then we will take care of that.

-Which are your objectives?
-We want to win all the possible trophies. My objectives are same as the group's. I do not forget about fans: in every game we want to go out and give what they expect from us, so that they are happy.

-How did you get on with your new teammates these first days?
-I am very glad and happy because it is a beautiful experience. In spite of knowing the coach, everything is new, the teammates are different, the language is different. I hope I will live up to the expectations.

-You traveled around Asia during your holidays and you had the chance to see the thrill your figure and Real Madrid cause in these countries. I imagine the reception did not surprise you.
-I am used to these receptions. The only thing is that this trip is different from the previous one because now the thrill is caused by all the players: Raúl, Ronaldo, Zidane, Figo… Fans in these countries just go out of their way to see their idols.

-Have your new teammates surprised you, at personal level, mainly?
-I already knew them at sporting level, but, at personal level, I am very happy because they have made huge effort to help me with my Spanish. They are helping me to get integrated as soon as possible. They are just as good at sporting level as at personal. I am very grateful to them.

- August 27th is highlighted date on your calendar, your debut at Santiago Bernabéu.
-This event is really motivating for me. I had been very eager to meet my teammates since I signed the contract. Once this phase is over, I am only thinking about the day I will wear the white shirt at Santiago Bernabéu. This is the hope I always have in mind.

-How would you imagine a hypothetical encounter with Manchester United or any other English team?
-It would be an honour for me to play English sides as a Real Madrid player. If this moment ever happens, it will be something very special in my career.

-Are you afraid of failure, like it has been the case for other English players that have left Britain to play in other tournaments?
-I am not afraid. This is precisely why we have come here. The preseason matches and the adaptation preiod will get me to the start of the season in a better shape. I have lived similar experiences in England, when foreign players joined our teams. As soon as I adapt and learn the language, it will be a lot easier, though I do not deny it would be difficult.


-Real Madrid's performance has come down over the last few games. Does the team miss you presence?
-It is me who misses the team. I am looking forward to playing with the squad as soon as possible. It is true we have done two games worst than expected. It is bad results, but they do not mean a serious problem.

-You were the first player to mention the treble: Liga, Champions League and Spanish Cup. Do you think you still have options to win them all? Will you need more signings to achieve it?
-Yes, it is still possible to hit a trebble. It is not up to us to talk about the need for more new players, that's up to the President and the Club's management. We are still fighting for all three competitions doing some good playing, though it will be hard to win everything.

-Which one of the three competitions would you like to win?
-All three of them, I would not like to pick one out, though I admit it is always very important to win the national league of the country. I have also sensed that Champions League is a very significant trophy for the Club. We want to win the three of them.

-How is your injury going and how long will it be until you can hit the field?
-At first I expected to play Eibar, but now I think I am not very likely to appear as soon as that, because it still hurts when I kick the ball. I expect I can play the Betis game next Sunday.

-Do you think these recent injuries can affect your performance at the end of the season?
-I do not think so because I have felt very well over the past few weeks. It is true I have been suffering more injuries than expected, but I will get back into shape in two weeks. I used to play two games a week in England too.

-What is your opinion about the game against Real Sociedad?
-Madrid has done better games, that's obvious. But then, an away game is always a tough job and we were not lucky enough. They did not do well, but we are aware and we intend to fix it.

-Do you admit the performance of the team has come down, have you talked about that in the locker room?
-We do not discuss that very often, but we will if we do not improve our play. The last few games have been very disappointing, but we are still at the top with lots of chances.

-Is it understandable that, with such an offensive team, everybody keeps mentioning Casillas' job?
-He deserves it. Iker has been one of the best Real Madrid players this year, he deserves this and a lot more.

-The president said that the next signing will come from the English league. Who would you choose?
-That signing would not change Real much, because we are very strong now, we are one of the greatest teams in the world and all the great teams usually want to hire the best players. It was the same with Manchester. I do not know who this player will be, but whoever it is, the team and fans will wellcome him. There is one thing for sure, Real Madrid has the necessary appeal to hire any footballer.

-This week the issue has been Ronaldo's trip to London. Do you have to ask the Club for permission too?
-I always let the club know when I travel to England, but I always do it in my time out. Ronaldo went to shoot a commercial. Rumours are very quick to spread every time something like this happens, so it looks like it has had a wider impact.

-Do you understand why the name of Abramovic causes fear?
-I do not know if he causes fear, but he defenitely has lots of money. He has brought some amazing footballers into Chelsea. There's a special feeling about that team, but we are not afraid. This is Real Madrid.

-Ever since you have lived in Madrid, has it become more difficult for you to hide your private life from certain British media?
-My life has not changed much because the English press has always been very interested in my private life. They say a lot of unfair things, but it's always been like this.

-David, there is a very important meeting of the English Footbal Federation tomorrow, are you attending it?
-I cannot attend it but I will keep in contact with those players that will be there. I know there will be a lot of important issues discussed.

-Your job as captain of England, has it become more difficult since you have lived in Madrid?
-No, it has not. When I signed for Real, I spoke to the national coach and he told me there would not be any problem if I had to play in another country



He causes a sensation. When he is on the field, he displays all his quality and, when he is before the microphones, his image lives up to it.

Beckham showed his human side at a large press conference. He did not refuse to answer one question with sincere statements.

His extenxive review did not avoid any issue: the Club, Casillas, his teammates ("they are all very good, but I would highlight the spirit of the whole team"), the classic Barcelona game…He gave a message to all those who say that he should choose between football and fashion shows: "I have always felt as a footballer, otherwise, I don't know why I have ended up in the best team of the world". He concluded the conference by making a request: "I would like to add something else.

Despite all the rumours, my wife is really happy and likes Spain a lot, the thing is that her work makes her travel to London and USA very often". This is Becks, no doubt about it.

-Were you surprised by the huge defeat that Deportivo suffered?
-It is no good results, but these things happen in football because no game is an easy game.

-Have you thought of the possibility that you might have to play Manchester United in future Champions League rounds?
-I have already been in Manchester playing with the national team, but I have not thought about it yet because I have been concentrating on the Partizan game.

-People are really surprised about your fighting spirit in every game.
-I am very happy about how I am doing. The only thing I wanted to prove when I got here was that I was a good player, and I hope I have achieved so. I will be the same footballer I have always been and fans have made me feel comfortable here. Maybe they were a bit surprised because they had not seen me playing day after day, but I have always fought hard for my club and national team. I am not going to change now, and if it is a surprise to them, I hope it is a nice one.

-In England it is said that Owen could be next Real Madrid's signing. Would you encourage him to come here?
-It would not be fair to speak about that because there are always speculations in football when it is about a great player and a great Club. Advise him to come here? I can only say that joining Real is the best decision I have made so far. There is no doubt Owen is a good footballer and would play very well in any team of the world, so he would fit in here too.

-Do you think Salgado and Roberto Carlos' absences would be noticeable?
-I am glad that Salgado has renewed his contract because he is a key piece in the group. It was a shame to lose Roberto Carlos the other day right after kickoff. I hope they are back on very soon, but we have an extensive team and those who appear will certainly do a good job.

-Would you play as outside defender if Queiroz gets to ask you so?
-I would not like to play in that position, but if the coach asks me so, I will do it, but I prefer not to speculate about these things.

-You have friends both in the Norway national team and in the Spanish one, which side would you like as winner?
-I am not going to answer that, but I can say it will be a very intense game because they are playing for the participation in the Euro Cup.

-The fact that you have already found a home, would it help you play better and concentrate more on the team?
-I hope it does, because finding a home is always a very important thing. I have spent three months in a hotel, where I have been treated wonderfully, but you always feel a lot better in a house with your family. However, living in a hotel has not stopped me from concentrating on Real.

-Are you enjoying the new position you are playing in Real Madrid?
-I am a lot happier, because this change has done me good. Besides, I must say that having such good teammates around you makes you feel at ease.

-Your opinion about Casillas?
-Before I came to Madrid, I already knew he was one of the best keepers in the world, but now I can say, honestly, I find him amazing. He is better than I thought. He has had some incredible performances over the past few games. What saves he made! Besides, he is a great guy.

-After all this time in Real, which player has caused you the greatest impact?
-They are all too god to pick out one. I can mention Ronaldo, Zidane, Raúl, Figo, Roberto Carlos..., but not only them, the whole team is really good. It is amazing to work with them. This Club is very good both on and off the field. What I can say is that I have been impressed by the spirit inside the team.

-Do you think you are progressing as a footballer by playing in Real?
-I hope I become a better player day after day. This is one of my goals. I want to improve in every situation, but when you are playing along with top figures, it is a quality bonus and a bigger effort. Besides, the Spanish Liga also gives you the chance to progress and improve.

-What do you think about Sevilla?
-I step on the field without knowing much about the opponent, because all the teams are new to me. I think this is one of the reasons why I enjoy every game so much, because this situation makes every game a mistery.

-Do you know what problems Partizan fans have with you?
-I don't know. They whistled at me from they very first minute I stepped on the field, but I wanted to win so badly. This is something I feel every day, but, as professional, you must know you have to overcome these situations. The field of play was in bad conditions and their fans were not very good with us, but that's ok.

-Partizan's Nadj has said it is time that you should choose between football and model shows.
-I am a footballer, otherwise, I don't know why I have ended up in the best team of the world. I have always loved football and what happens off the field is just an extra, it is not the core of my life. The comments of other players' are not going to bother me.

-Considering that Barcelona tried to sign you and you chose Real Madrid, will you understand Camp Nou can boo you like it did with Figo?
-It'd be great if they did, I am not going to change the way I play just because of that. I might get a weird welcome but I have already been through this type of things when I have played with Manchester or the national team. I have been told this is the most important game in the world. I have seen it on TV and I am looking forward to play it.