Interview

Up close and Personal with David Beckham

copyright: the newspaper (www.thenewspaper.org.uk)

David Beckham is a star on the soccer field, and his good looks also make him the star of many women’s dreams. But aside from being a great soccer player and a nice looking chap, he is also a swell human being. Take, for instance, his involvement with UNICEF, or his successful “Really bend it like Beckham” soccer training skills DVD. Then there is his soccer academy, aimed at teaching kids the sport. So, despite the scandals that sometimes surround him, Beckham is a real role model for his charitable involvement and his grand sportsmanship. But if you think that he is hero enough not to have any people to look up to, think again.

“My football hero is former Manchester United and England captain Bryan Robson,” Beckham says. “He is somebody I have admired for a long time.”

Off the soccer field, Beckham says that he really looks up to former boxing star Muhammad Ali who fights a brave and public battle against Parkinson’s disease. “ He has been through a lot and
is still a world icon,” Beckham elaborates. “I think if I were not David Beckham, I would have chosen to be him. He is not only a great sportsman, but also a great man who is very family orientated.”

Much has been made of Beckham’s move to Real Madrid, and he is having a ball playing and living there. “I love appearing alongside France’s Zinedine Zidane, Brazil’s Ronaldo and Spain’s Raul at Real, players like that. That is the best part of playing for Real,” he reveals.

Asked about the difference between Spain and the Premiership, the soccer star explains that there is not all that much difference. “I think in Spain the teams are slightly better all the way through the top division,” he says. “But I still think the Premiership is one of the best in the world.”

Beckham’s sons Brooklyn and Romeo seem eager to follow in their father’s footsteps. Both love kicking their soccer ball around. “Brooklyn is very good and strong,” Beckham relates. “Romeo is still very young but he also seems to really love the game.”

Still, Beckham is not adamant about them becoming soccer stars when they grow up. 

“I would love them to be footballers, obviously, but if they do not choose that then I will support them in whatever they do. I would like them to do whatever makes them happy.”

Asked who his most admired defenders, midfielders and attackers are, Beckham replies that there are almost too many to choose from. But if he has to choose at all, here is his list: “I would say that Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell are among the best defenders, Patrick Vieira and Zidane the finest midfielders, and Ronaldo, Raul and Thierry Henry are among the best attackers.”

Let’s hope we get to see them all, and Beckham of course, at the world championship later this year. That is, if there are still tickets to get in!

Vocabulary:

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