David Beckham: "I am happy at LA"

On Tuesday night Red Bulls fans finally had a lot to cheer and be happy about - their team played well and beat the best club in MLS LA Galaxy 2:0. Despite a no-show from Donovan (injury) and Keane (international duty) there was another star that did play in this game: David Beckham. After the match we caught up with Sir David to get his take on the Red Bull win and some other soccer related topics.

Beckham is in the final season of his five-year contract
with LA. He makes $6.5 million and is the highest paid
player.

What can you say about tonight’s game?

DB: I think in the first half we played really well, we kept possession well. When you have that kind of possession obviously you want to score. We didn’t. Credit to the Red Bulls – they worked hard tonight. They battled hard, they’re a team fighting for their lives, for the playoffs. They sat back and hit us on the breaks. Congratulations to them of course, but we are a bit tired obviously after all those games that we’ve been playing, but it’s disappointing losing, of course. 

Do you think the absence of Donovan, Keane and some other veterans had something to do with your loss tonight?

DB: We’ve had this all season. We’ve had games when we missed players and we’ve done all right in most of them. But tonight was difficult. New York is a difficult place to come and win and play. I think overall we can take some positives from this game: first half we passed the Red Bulls around, we had a lot of possession, but just did not capitalize for scoring a goal.

How was it to play against Thierry Henry?

DB: Of course it’s always special to play against Thierry. He’s a good friend and a great professional and a great player and it’s always good to play against him.

As an outsider looking in: you knew that the Red Bulls’ season had a lot of ups and downs. What did you expect from them tonight?

DB: Everytime we come here we expect to fight, because Red Bulls are a team that always puts up a battle. We knew obviously the position they are in, they needed to win this game so we knew that they were going to battle tonight. And they did. At the end of the day they out battled us. They sat back a lot and like I said they’ve got quick players that can hit you on the breaks and they did that.

You’ve talked about “missing the final touch” – what was it exactly?

Fans in NY are not exactly
in love with Becks

DB: We’ve had opportunities, but we did not put them away – simple as that. When you have that much possession – like we had – you need to score at those times of the game. We had good chances, but just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. They had one chance, put it away and then their confidence grew.

Leonardo likes you very much. Are you interested in playing in Paris for his team?

DB: Obviously I love Leonardo. I had a good relationship with him when I was at Milan the first time and when he was the manager the second time. He’s a great manager, great person. I am flattered that he wants me to go and join the team in Paris, but I am a Galaxy player. I live in LA and I enjoy it there and I will continue to play there.

What do you think about the situation in PSG? Do you think it’s good for the club?

DB: It’s exciting. There are big things happening in France at a number of clubs. It’s an exciting time for PSG with Leonadro going there and all the money as well, so it’s an interesting club.

If you are not asked to renew your contract, what are your plans?

DB: We’ll see. I’ve always said: wait till the end of the season and see how I feel physically and then decide. There is no rush for myself so it’s important I concentrate on the rest of the season. We’re in the playoffs, we’ve got two games left so I concentrate on the season and worry about that after.

Knowing how important your family is to you – where will you end up?

DB: Always it’s number 1. The family comes first and wherever they are happy I will stay – simple as that. My children go to school in LA. They have them for 5 years now and they are at the age where stability is the most important.

The rumor says that Rio Ferdinand might come to Chicago Fire for two years – what advice would you give him about that move?

DB: At the end of the day it’s unfair for me to comment on a player that still is under contract with Manchester United, loved by the fans, he’s a very good player. It’s the first time I’ve heard those rumors, but I am not even gonna comment, because he’s a Manchester United player and as another Manchester United player I want him to stay there.

How do you feel at the end of this one?

Can this man with his woolen cap and
a 5-day scruff be the object of affection
for so many women? 

DB: A little bit sore. We had a hard game on the weekend against Salt Lake and then obviously the travel, changing time zones, all of that. But it was a quick turnaround – few of the lads are tired, few of the lads are aching a little bit. Juninho got knocked, we’ve got a few players that are beat up, but we’ve got a long lay-off now until we play Chivas and then we’ll see.

How important it is for the club to win the Supporter’s Shield?

DB: I think it’s important for the club and it’s important for the team. It’s always important to win as many games in the regular season as possible and we’ve done that the last few years. I am not sure how much it will mean going forward, because the last couple of years we’ve won the Supporter’s Shield and then gotten to the playoffs and the team that gets last to the playoffs has won it. It’s a different formation, different plan the way it’s run, but obviously we want to get it away. We want to make it comfortable to ourselves, we want to beat Chivas as well for a few reasons, so if we win that game then it’s ours.

Has it been hard for you to manage all of those offers from overseas and does it have any impact on you or the team?

DB: No, it has no impact on me, no impact on the team. It’s flattering. My first year with Real Madrid, there were rumors that I was going to Chelsea every year that I was there. So there are always rumors out there, but I am a Galaxy player. I love playing for this team and the manager and all the players that are on this team. I am happy here.

What do you think about Manchester United this season and all those young players that Sir Alex keeps on finding?

DB: That’s what Sir Alex Ferguson always does. As soon as you think that the team is getting a little bit older he changes it and brings in a whole new team. So it’s exciting to see as a Manchester United fan. The young players that are coming through, the players that have been there for a few years – it’s all great to see as a Man U fan.

Anybody in particular that caught your eye?

DB: There’s many. Wellbeck is scoring goals, Chicharrito is so sharp. It’s great to see and it’s exciting to watch players like that and as a Manchester United fan I hope they go and win it all.  

text: Tomek Moczerniuk (email Tomek)
foto: Danny Blanik (email Danny)