Beckham: I wanted Milan
Saturday 26 May, 2007
David Beckham told the `Gazzetta dello Sport' that the toughest
decision of his career was turning down Milan to join LA Galaxy and
explains why Antonio Cassano is "crazy."
The Real Madrid man's contract expires next month and in January he
was free to negotiate with a number of clubs.
Milan announced they had been his number one option if Becks had
decided to stay in Europe and the player admits that is true.
"It was not easy to say no to Milan, one of the best clubs in the
world. The squad, the Coach, the President, the city and then Ronaldo
went there too. It was a very tough choice," said the England
international who today received a surprise recall from Steve McClaren
for the friendly against Brazil and Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia.
"I was honoured, flattered and tempted. But I had to think about my
family and wanted a different challenge.
"I am well aware that football in the States cannot be compared to
that in Europe, but I see it as a challenge. I am not just going there
to play, I am an ambassador for a movement.
"I would have liked to play in Serie A. Italy is a country I love
because it has everything great football, great players, the best
food in the world, wine, fashion, countryside. Last year I was in
Portofino and have often gone to Tuscany. We even thought of getting a
house there."
Former Real teammate Ronaldo was celebrating the Champions League
trophy in Athens and Beckham could have been there with him.
"It was a deserved success, especially considering everything they did
during the season. The second leg against Manchester United was the
perfect performance. Milan play great football, work hard, score
fantastic goals and have extraordinary talents like Kaka."
Liverpool felt they were unfortunate after losing the Final 2-1 on
Wednesday, but Beckham does not see it that way.
"Liverpool know it too, Milan played better in Athens and they won.
Filippo Inzaghi has scored extraordinary goals, important goals and
fortunate goals. But you cannot talk about luck really in his case
he has been hitting the back of the net all his life and is to be
admired."
The race for the Ballon d'Or is Milan-heavy this year and captain
Paolo Maldini is in the running.
"He deserves to challenge for it with Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Anyone who at the age of 39 is playing in a club like Milan and has
the respect that Maldini commands deserves to win. But it will be
difficult."
Beckham is a teammate of current European and World Player of the Year
Fabio Cannavaro and another Italian talent, Antonio Cassano, at Real.
"They are very different, both great lads. Cassano is crazy, but he's
also one of the nicest people I've ever met. He is always happy, ready
to laugh and joke around, not to mention a real talent. I'd like him
to play more.
"Cannavaro is one of the best defenders I have ever known. We got on
well off the field as well, we're good friends."
The same cannot be said of Coach Fabio Capello, who often clashed with
Beckham at the Bernabeu and froze him out after he signed for LA
Galaxy.
"He is one of the greatest managers in the world. Whatever you may say
about him, his career speaks for itself. He is a winner, someone who
believes in his players and is on our side. These are qualities you
could see despite the problems within the club."
--
Cavaliere
AC Milan atau tidak sama sekal!
FORZA INDONESIA >> Tak pernah berhenti berharap Indonesia bisa tampil di
Piala Dunia.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
HAPUS BAGIAN EMAIL YG TIDAK PERLU SEBELUM ME-REPLY.
==========================================================
Milis Tabloid BOLA
Untuk KELUAR DARI MILIS INI. Kirim Mail kosong (tanpa subject) ke alamat [EMAIL
PROTECTED]
==========================================================
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolaml/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolaml/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
