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England’s national team captain and Madrid star David Beckham gave an interview a couple of days ago to the official Real club website www.realmadrid.com. One of the world's most famous footballers talks about the new coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, Roy Keane, Antonio Cassano, the World Cup draw, and the UEFA Champions League.
Here's a Lithuanian version of this interview.
How do you feel about the first days working with Lopez Caro?
The team is working very hard and very seriously. It's time to win.
Now Real is playing wide again. Do you like it?
I like playing both on the right and in the center.
What does the new coach want from you?
I haven't talked to him, just trained.
Has coach changes become normal?
Six coaches in three years have been tough for me. It's unusual and I'm not used to it. Now we are led by Lopez Caro, whom I consider a very intelligent and special coach. I hope he stays for long.
In recent days (about a week ago) there have been rumors that your former teammate and friend Roy Keane might come to Real.
He is fantastic both as a player and as a person. We are a big club and everyone would want to play here. We all want a calm Christmas, but in clubs like Real, Manchester United, or Milan, rumors never stop. Whatever will be, will be. He is amazing as a captain, even better as a player. There have been many changes in the team, and now we work very hard and give a lot of effort to play better. If it were up to me, I'd be very happy if he came here. But what if he wants to go to Celtic? He will decide. (A few days later, R. Keane signed with Celtic - ed.)
What would he bring to the team?
Some think he would not demonstrate anything new, but that's not true. He can still offer a lot to the team.
On Friday, the draw for the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals will take place. Do you have any preference for any team?
All Champions League matches are very tough. Every team is strong. I would like a team from England, especially Manchester United, but it cannot be (Man Utd did not reach the quarterfinals - ed.).
It was revealed in the draw that Real will face London's Arsenal.
On Sunday, you will face Osasuna, one of the strongest rivals.
It will be very difficult, even though we will play at the Santiago Bernabeu. They play very well, but our team played very well against Malaga. That's why we need to win on Sunday. I think my teammates are very strong and play good football.
It seems that Lopez Caro is taking his job seriously.
Trainings are always tough; today, for example, we will have a double session. This coach's work methodology is impressive, and he is very strong tactically.
Will you miss Luxemburgo?
I knew him, he is a good person and a good coach. I respect him a lot, but now we have a different approach. Lopez Caro came from the reserve team, so he is used to Spanish players, and we work a lot. But I am used to training twice a day, so I feel great.
What do you think about Robinho playing on the right side last Sunday (In those matches against Malaga, the Brazilian replaced the suspended D. Beckham on the right - ed.)
The whole team played very well, as we all saw. One should not single out any player.
What do you think about the situation in Manchester and Alex Ferguson's problems?
Fans support him a lot; he has achieved impressive things over the years. In the fifteen seasons I've seen how fans support him. I can't imagine how the team would look without Ferguson, but one season without a title shouldn't make people forget what he has achieved in the past. Football changes quickly; I don't know what might happen, but he will decide. People talk too much about it, and I don't think he will just leave the club. Ferguson won't leave Man Utd, despite all the problems. They are in third place in England, and nothing is lost yet. He is excellent in tough times, able to inspire players and make them fight.
What do you think of the World Cup draw?
Although people think otherwise, the group is not that easy. I played in several World Cups, and I was the captain. If we work very hard, success will smile at us, and we will achieve something.
What do you expect to see in the semifinals?
I hope to see England, Spain, of course Brazil, and France, because of Zidane.
Among the players mentioned to join Real next year is Michael Ballack. What do you think about it?
Ballack has great potential; he is a very good player. I don't know him personally.
What about Antonio Cassano?
I think he is a great player, but you should talk to the club president about him.
Luis Figo stated that he would like to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
Figo is my friend; I like Inter, but I would like to compete against a team from England.
