BECKHAM: “I LIKE LÓPEZ CARO, I THINK HE'S GOOD TACTICALLY”
December 2005

He has made his choice. The English player is enjoying the methods of Juan Ramón López Caro. He talks about Roy Keane, Cassano, the World Cup draw and the Champions League, and doesn't hide his smile when a Japanese journalist puts him in a predicament when he is asked about a sumo wrestler. Despite the anecdote, he knows, of course, how to move on.

How are the first days with López Caro going?
The team is working very hard and very seriously. Now it's time to win matches.

Now wingers are being used again, are you happy?
I like playing on the right and in the centre. It's all the same to me.

Has the new coach told you what he wants from you?
I haven't spoken to him, I've only been training.

A new trainer, something that you keep experiencing.
In three years six trainers is a bit difficult for me. It's not normal and I'm not used to it. Now we're with López Caro, someone I see as being very intelligent and very special. I hope he stays a long time.

In the last few days there has been talk of the arrival of your ex team-mate and friend Roy Keane.
He's an incredible player and as a person too. But we are in a big Club and every player would like to come here. We all want a relaxed Christmas, but in big clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester or Milan always have rumours about these subjects. What will be will be. As a captain he's excellent, and even better as a player. We have suffered a lot of changes here on the team, now we are training very hard and with a lot of effort in order to play better football. If it were my choice I'd be delighted if he came. And what if he wants to go Celtic? He'll decide.

What could he bring?
Some people think he has nothing left, but it's not true. He has a lot to give.

Friday is the draw for the Champions League, do you have any preferences?
All the matches in the Champions League are very difficult. Any team will be tough. I'd like an English team, preferably Manchester, but it can't be.

On Sunday you face Osasuna, one of your most difficult rivals.
It will be very difficult, despite being at the Bernabéu. They are playing very well, but our team played very well against Málaga, and for that reason we have to win on Sunday. I think my team-mates are very strong, and are playing good football.

It seems like López Caro is tightening up the team.
The training sessions are always very tough, today for example, we have a double session. The work of this trainer is impressive, and tactically he's very good.

Do you miss Luxemburgo?
I knew him and he is a good person and a good trainer. I respect him a great deal, but now we have a different mentality. López Caro comes from the second team and he is used to Spanish players, and we work hard. But I'm used to training twice a day and I feel very good like this.

What do you think of Robinho on the right on Sunday?
All the team is functioning very well as we saw in Málaga. There's no need to single anyone out.

Are you sorry about the situation at Manchester and of Alex Ferguson?
The fans support him a lot, he has been doing great things for many years. When I played fifteen seasons I saw the supporters were with him. I don't know how it'll be without Ferguson, any only one season without winning a title shouldn't make people forget what a past he's had. Things change a lot in football, and I don't know what might happen, he will have the last word. People are talking too much about it, and I don't think he'll just walk out of the door. Ferguson will not ditch Manchester, despite difficult moments. They are third in the League and nothing is lost. They have good reasons to fight on. He is better under pressure and can inspire the players and make them fight.

What's your evaluation of the World Cup draw?
Despite what people may think, the group is not that easy. I've played in World Cups and as captain I'm very proud as kids dream of doing that. If we work very hard, and we are very lucky, we can get a good result.

Who do you see as semi-finalists?
I hope to see England, Spain, obviously, Brazil, and France for Zidane.

In the past the prizes all went to Real Madrid players, awards which have gone to Barcelona, do you think that's fair?
Ronaldinho is an incredible player. He is a great footballer, and a great person, and Barcelona are playing very well. But we are capable of playing such football. We deserve prizes. I still believe that Real Madrid has the potential to fight for titles. We have to think about the rest of the year, to improve.

If Keane comes, it looks like the victim would be Sergio Ramos.
He is 19 years old and is a great footballer, but I wouldn't say that if Keane came he wouldn't be playing. Roy has more than just his playing to bring to the team.

Among the possible players for next season there is Ballack, would you agree with his signing?
Ballack has a great potential, as a player he is very good. I don't know him personally.

The last name to appear has been Cassano, what do you think?
I think he's a great player, but you'd have to talk to the President about that.

Luis Figo has said that he'd love to play against Real Madrid.
Figo is my friend, and I like Inter, but I'd prefer an English side.

Forrás: www.realmadrid.com