BECKHAM: “I HAVE PROVED I CAN PLAY FOOTBALL”
Thursday, Nov 06, 2003

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.

Forrás: www.realmadrid.com