From The Sunday Times
February 11, 2007

It’s pure Hollywood


The estranged superstar made a surprise return for Real Madrid - and inevitably stole the show
Ian Hawkey in Spain

So who does write his scripts? And where does this rank in the never-ending saga of David Beckham comebacks? Not quite like the 90th-minute howitzer against Greece, perhaps, but it was pretty sweet judging by his beatific smile after Real Madrid had reversed a 1-0 deficit against Real Sociedad last night with one man squarely, rightly and dramatically attracting a heavy proportion of the credit. You know who.

Act One: a month after being told by Madrid coach Fabio Capello he would never play for him again, Capello picks Beckham.

Act Two: a fortnight after Capello told everyone who cared to listen that the former free-kick genius was worth a mere “two or three” goals from dead balls across his entire Madrid career, Beckham scores with a set piece.

Acts Three and Four follow naturally: Beckham turns the match around. Capello owes him one. And this story has legs.

Next episode, Act Five: Saturday night at the Bernabeu, followed by Bayern Munich there three days later.


If the first surprise had been the Beckham recall, after his exile and punishment for having committed his future, as of June, to the USA, the second surprise had been a place in Madrid’s starting XI. Beckham effectively leapt not just from exile but from about 23rd in Capello’s hierarchy to rather near the top. Six days earlier, even a footballer who had not kicked a ball in competition for two and half years, one Oscar Minambres, had been preferred as cover for Beckham’s flank. Suddenly, Beckham moved from outsider straight in at outside right.
It could not have been because Capello took Beckham for a lucky omen. Beckham had started five league games this season, only one of which Madrid won. But Capello needed to review something. Following an aggressive display of frustration from fans at the Bernabeu the previous weekend, it was once again ultimatum time for a Madrid head coach, and Capello’s points of principle seem less fixed with each passing day. He is the martinet who vetoed the sale of Ronaldo in one transfer window and endorsed it in the next. He is the iron-willed governor who told his president to stake his mortgage on the solidity his favoured signing, midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, would give the team. Diarra began on the bench last night.
And Capello is the coach who argued that Beckham’s commitment to a future in LA meant that he could no longer give his best for Madrid. Well, the former England captain gave his all last night, even if Madrid started badly, conceding a sloppy early goal when keeper Iker Casillas palmed out a cross for Aranburu to head home from inside the six-yard box. Capello was staring crisis full in the face.


No trip to the Basque country by the club from the Spanish capital is ever serene and comfy, and there are members of this Madrid side who have capitulated here before. Beckham responded to the setback with urgency. Not all his passes were perfect, but he exuded gumption: here an encouragement for Sergio Ramos, there a quickly taken free kick from halfway, designed to shake off Madrid’s languor, surprise the opposition, but alas too urgent for some colleagues. Beckham had verve and looked like a man who had spent too long in the “cooler” at Camp Capello. The rest of Real played like Capello’s Madrid, ponderous, insecure.
Beckham’s goal, though, perked them all up. A clever piece of work it was, too, not an orthodox Beckham dipper over a leaping wall of defenders, but one that, from 30 yards, traced a lowish, flat trajectory and hummed to the ground in an awkward no man’s land just far enough in front of goalkeeper Bravo to keep him from advancing, just near enough to put him in two minds. The poor keeper got his hands nowhere near it. It was Beckham’s 11th direct free-kick goal for Madrid.


Not long into the second half, Ruud van Nistelrooy scored the winner, and if any man is almost as pleased as Beckham to have Beckham back it will be the Dutchman, who misses the crosses and telepathy they enjoyed at Manchester United. Van Nistelrooy celebrated vividly after Beckham´s goal. “You can’t write him off,” beamed Van Nistelrooy. “He’s done this a couple of times before and now he’s proved himself again. Of course we are all pleased for him and we’re happy to have him back.”

whatta start from beckham, came in as starting XI and changed the course of yesterdays game against real sociedad....we can expect more from him in upcoming matches.....

IKER CASILLAS: “The game got off to a horrible start, but we pulled through and ended up winning by sweating it out. It's a very important victory.”“Their goal came after a very strange play. The ball did a strange twist. I tried to deflect it but with such bad luck that they headed it in.”“Losing would have been very, very bad for us. Let's hope we're lucky with tomorrow's results.”“This game was very special for Beckham. He wanted to prove himself and we're all delighted because it was good for him and for the team.”“We just want to keep on adding points to our scoreboard.”

VAN NISTELROOY: “It was an important game. We started losing and that made things incredibly hard on us, but the team showed true character.”“Beckham's goal was key in the comeback. I'm very happy for him because he's in the starting eleven and because he scored such an important goal.”“We always want to win for the good of the team, of our fans, and also for the coach.”“Winning is better. Losing is very tough.”

SERGIO RAMOS: “It was a complicated match. We're jumping from joy with the three points. Today, you can't reprehend the players about anything.”“We're happy for Capello because we trust him and we want him to continue his work here.”“We played an awesome match. Top level. We have to savour the win and keep on working hard.”

Report by Luis NavarroPhotos by Ángel MartínezSpecial correspondents to Saint SebastianTranslation by Luis Orueta from real madrid official websites.

Beckham scores in Spanish league return


February 10, 2007



MADRID, Spain (AP) -- David Beckham scored on his trademark bending free kick in his first start since Dec. 20, helping Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 2-1 Saturday in the Spanish league.
The star midfielder, who is bound for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, tied the score in the 37th minute with a low shot from outside the penalty area that beat diving goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.


Beckham's goal at Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian may have saved Madrid coach Fabio Capello's job. The Italian coach, who had said that the former England captain would never again play for the Spanish power, reportedly would have been fired if his team had lost again.
Beckham received a yellow card in the 75th minute for a late challenge on Sociedad forward Savio Bortolini.

Beckham displeased Capello by announcing on Jan. 11 that he would leave for the Galaxy when his contract expires in June.
"I picked him because he has been good in training for three weeks," Capello said. "I'm pleased he scored with a free kick because he hasn't scored many this season. He played really well."
Ruud van Nistelrooy headed in Madrid's winning goal in the 48th minute when he beat Bravo to Miguel Torres' cross from the left. The victory ended a run of two straight defeats.
Sociedad took the lead in the eighth minute after a mistake by Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas allowed Mikel Aranburu to head the ball into the net.
In Saturday's late game, Sevilla drew 0-0 at crosstown rival Real Betis and climbed into a share of the league lead on points with FC Barcelona, which hosts Racing Santander on Sunday.
Defending champion Barcelona has 43 points, ahead of Sevilla on goal difference. Madrid rose to third place with 41 points.


taken from yahoo sport

TIME TO MOVE ON,

It's been a while since my last post *exclude the Q and A*, i'd been far from good mood i guess that's why my sist was the one who posted news about becks and all. i had a very2 relaxing and amaxing trip with my loved ones, it felt good just to see other ppl's world beside my own. the time was right when i needed something to channel my attention from my busy life. a friend of mine had pack her bags and return to the place where she belongs and i still haven't had the time to meet her. so sad, but mebbe it's meant to be we both weren't ready to see each other and i have changed so much till i feel i don't have to connect with my past anymore. so many nightmares and i don't think i could face those ppl anymore. mebbe reunion was never on my plans and will never be, they can label me whatever they want but i don't want to be hypocrite when the truth is i can never forget what actually happened before. every person has their own roles on making me feel terrible each and everyday so why should i face them now and pretend they never did anything wrong in my life. i'm not running away, i'm living my life the way i want to i hope in the future those ppl will consider me as non-existed it's better than keep talking about me but never try to search the truth from my camp. it's time to go forward it's sick when two people i used to consider *close* are now one of those ppl trying to please somebody's ass mebbe they're mixing with wrong crowd. i hope someday they'll realize that truth hurts but truth is the only way to happiness. i know someday they'll start to look and realize the good reliable friend is gone 10.00 miles ahead of them. it's my time to go forward without the as my burden from the past. everything had fallen apart long tim a go and i don't owe explanations to anyone also i don't need any explanations so stop haunting me with lies and deceits.

*you don't know what you got till it's gone*

i guess i've met a lot of ppl who are now leading different lives and different attitudes. people let me down so many times that's why i hv issues on truting other ppl. i don't want to push myself to forgive and forget coz i know it's damn hard and i keep moving on although the scars remain inside my heart. i can always say i've moved forward way too far since the last spot but to forgive and forget what they had done in the past remain my own secret. maybe God knows what's best for me and i will let God show me the right path. i don't want to say cruel things about other ppl coz by doing that i will be just like them who have crushed my life back then.

*i hope after this noone will ask me about my past anymore

it's a close case for me and i hope it will never be open

although not only miseries but there are also sweet memories back there*

i'm grateful for what i have right now, for being in the right family, for finding the missing pieces, and for being saved by God so many times. Thank you God! Thank you mommy and daddy, Thank you my siblings, and thank you my missing pieces. learning about life is really2 fun..i hope i can give more instead of taking. please stay with me God! and show me the right path, move, words, and choices.

*miss-c*can't wait till 10.55!!

beckham will be included in the squad facing real sociedad this weekend. however, we are still unsure whether capello will put him on his starting line up. its goin to be slow recover from beck coz hes been out from the squad nearly two months, thanks to capello silly decision in january, and in order to gain his usual form he needs to work extra hard and be involved in matches. hopefully, he'll be played for several minutes to get his physical form back together. capello was under fire in recent weeks following bad results in the last matches and becks issue didnt help his popularity to rise as more and more ppl stand up and speak up their desire to see beckham play for the last time since he'll be goin to MLS next summer. he can contribute much more than capello had thought and having him on the pitch giving opposing team a hard time to defend their goal. each one of the players gives an extra to the team and excluding them will only resulting to a dilemma.

Real Madrid directors pressure Capello to reinstate Beckham

tribalfooball.com - February 09, 2007

Real Madrid directors are pressing Fabio Capello to end David Beckham's exile. After calls from several players, including Raul, Ivan Helguera, Guti and Iker Casillas, to reinstate the England international, Real management have spoken with Capello and urged him to begin including Beckham in his first team plans again.

Beckham's behaviour in training has been exemplary and his attendance for all of Real's games has gone down well with supporters. Madrid fans are flooding the club's website with demands for the midfielder's return and the pressure is growing on Capello to back down.
The final word will be left with the Italian today, who will finalise his squad for this weekend's match against Real Sociedad.

its good to hear his teammates show countless support to david beckham even though he has only been there for 3 1/2 yrs. for that short period he has shown more than willing to give everything he has to help his club and teammates to win titles. its a pity not many ppl recognize his dedication and effort beyond financial reasons. hopefully, after what has happened in the past 2 months could change capellos point of view toward david beckham and begin to pick him as one of his squad this season.

DAVID BECKHAM BACK ON THE SQUAD!!




Fabio Capello has explained why he has decided to recall the previously exiled David Beckham to the Real Madrid squad for Saturday's match at Real Sociedad.

Capello said Beckham's continued professionalism had persuaded him to backtrack on his pledge that the midfielder would never again play for Real following his announcement that he would be joining LA Galaxy at the end of the season.

"We had doubts after he signed such an important contract with the American side," Capello told a news conference at Real's training base in Valdebebas.

"We doubted he could train with the same enthusiasm after that, but he has been training perfectly. He has always had the full support of his team mates. He has behaved like a great professional and is now returning to the squad.

"I'm counting on him until the end of the season."

Capello, whose position is under threat after back-to-back defeats in the league, said that the decision was his own and that he had not been pressured by either the players or the club's directors.

"It was down to Beckham's hard work and attitude. The intelligent thing to do is to correct things when mistakes are made.

I spoke with him a week ago and again today. We are very happy and he is too."

Club captain Raul, midfielder Guti and several other first team players had come out in support of Beckham in recent weeks saying he should continue playing until the end of his contract.

Beckham was embraced by several team mates including Raul after being given the news of his inclusion in the squad.

The 31-year-old midfielder said earlier this week he was desperate to play for Real again.

"It is very hard for me because I would like to help the team," he told sports daily Marca.

"I'm desperate to play again, I don't know if I will but I've got to keep on training. I want to leave this club on a high."

Spanish media have pointed to the fact that other players such as Barcelona's Javier Saviola and Valencia's Roberto Ayala, whose contracts also terminate at the end of the season, are still playing for their respective clubs.

Beckham's last appearance for Real was when he came on as a substitute in their 2-0 defeat at Deportivo Coruna on January 7 a few days before announcing he had signed a five-year deal with LA Galaxy worth $250 million.

*miss-c*ondmood

FLYING HIGH

1. are you missing someone right now?

*hixhixhix shoobydoopbidoopdoopdoop

2. are you happy?

*yeah why not

3. are you talking to anyone right now?

*my roomie aka my sist

4. are you bored?

*nope..loving life

5. are you german?

*nope

6. are you irish?

*nope

7. are you chinese?

*nope

8. are you asian?

*yeah

9. are your parents still married?

*alhamdulillah praise to Allah theyre still

married insya allah for eternity

10. do you like someone right now?

*hihihi yessh

TEN FAVORITES.

1. televison show:

*gilmore girls, csi, cooking programmes, FOOTBALL,

everybody hates chris, laguna beach, the hills, lost

2. flower:

*that ferrero flower as seen on tv

3. color:

*pinky as for clothes i prefer dark colors

4. sport:

*FOOTBALL aka SOCCER for life!!

5. mall:

*anywhere i feel comfy

6. music:

*any kind especially the un-famous ones

7. food:

*many kinds of food

8. season:

*spring summer

9. animal:

*furry animals

10. subject :

*secret!

TEN FACTS.

1. hometown:

*madrid, espana

2. hair color:

*black turning to reddish

3.perfume:

*chanel -chance, stella, marc jacobs, bvlgari,

hermes, aigner, miss dior cherie

4. hair style:

*hard to explain

5. eye color:

*brownish

6. shoe size:

*biggest -40 something

7. mood:

happiest -congrats becksie-poo

8. skin color:

*tanned

9. available?:

*why not am i taken?haha

TEN THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE.

1. have you ever been in love?

*yes..many times

2. do you believe in love?

*i do believe in love..

love in universal meaning not only about two ppl

4 me love is all around and that's why i'm here

because of the love and endless support from God and my loved ones

3. why did your last relationship fail?

*because i believe there are good ways to live my life

without someone else terrorizing&trying to change ^me^

also i was too young to know that how ugly a person can be when they're desperate

and i had realize it was nothing more than one man show-fake-

4. have you ever been heartbroken?

*yes everytime my fav soccer teams loses

5. have you ever broken someone's heart?

*hopefully not

6. have you ever fallen for one of your best friends?

*no thanks

7. have you ever liked someone but nevertold them?

*hihihi yeahyeah

8. are you afraid of commitment?

*of course it's scary especially after i learn many things in life

9. has someone ever kissed your hand?

*mebbe dun really remember

10. have you ever had a secret admirer?

*yupp

TEN THINGS: THIS OR THAT.

1. love or lust:

*love and patience

2. hard liquor or beer:

*non-alcoholic please

3. night or day:

*night

4. one night stands or relationships:

*good kind of relationship

5. television or internet:

*bothbothboth

6. pepsi or coke:

*coke

7. wild night out or romantic night in:

*i prefer seating on a couch watching dvds or SOCCER

8. colored pictures or black and whitepictures:

*black and white is much cooler

9. phone or in person:

*in person

10. friendster or myspace:

*perez!!

TEN HAVE Y0U EVER's.

1. have you ever been caught sneaking out?

*nope

2. have you ever kissed someone you dont love?

*alhamdulillah hvn't

3. have you ever done something you regret?

*what's life if there's no regret?

4. have you ever bungee jumped?

*nope not planning to^due to sickness^

5. have you ever been on a house boat?

*planning to

6. have you ever finished an entire jawbreaker?

*nope

7. have you ever wanted someone so badly it hurts?

*i dunno

9. have you ever danced in the rain?

*nope i'm still normal ^haha^

10. have you ever had a hang over?

*many times..ppl deceived me a lot

*miss-c*

in life there are things i wish i hadn't done or said

but that's life so little i know yet so many things

have happened without me noticing

i'm a different person with a different view of life

coz after all these years and miseries

i've come to a place where i know God is here with me

and my family supporting me

privacy is what i have left.

i'm not planning on telling all the ppl in the world

what's the real story

coz i keep it all with me

when the time has come

God will speak for me

and judge those who've deceived me

Outcry in the team - recall Beckham!

07.02.2007
AS

CARMEN COLINO


David Beckham announced the 11 of January that he would not renew with Real Madrid and that he would sign with Los Angeles Galaxy. Two days later, Capello said in a press conference that the Englishman would not return to play again in the shirt of Real Madrid, he even separated him from the group in some training sessions. His team-mates never looked well on this decision and they have always considered Beckham to be in everything a professional, a friend and a good companion (in the case of Cassano they do not think the same and they do not get upset). The team feels sorry to see see Beckham training separately, they share jokes with him in an effort to cheer him up. They want to see him in the side again and thus they have been saying so publicly one by one, and also privately they have made their feelings known to Capello and Mijatovic.

In the heat of crisis, the 16 of January, Calderón criticized the team in a meeting with students and that caused a meeting between the team and Capello, Mijatovic and the president. Among many subjects, it was requested that Beckham return to play and Raul two days later said in a press conference: “I hope that they can vary some things. [Beckham] while he is player of Madrid, he is going to try to give everything to the shirt”.

After Raul, Casillas also spoke in support of Beckham: “In spite of being 30 years old, his football continues to give joy”. And Michel Salgado was still more direct: “I think just like Raul. He is a player who can help us to gain titles. To leave David out with six months of the season reamining is very unwise”.

The next to take up the cause was Helguera, who experienced a similar situation at the beginning of season when he was made to train with the youth team: “I do not know if Beckham will play more. It is a very bad situation. He is very hard-working and it is not necessary to do this”. Guti was yesterday the last player who pronounced itself pleased with his team-mate and showed his support.

Meanwhile, Beckham does not resign and hopes that the situation changes; thus he has confessed to his companions. While, every day he arrives early at Valdebebas, trains well, confides with the team, visits with the team in the changing room before each match, watches and suffers from his theater box through the game, and then returns to see his team-mates after the encounter… An example.

But the decision of Capello also is questionable from the economic point of view. Beckham costs Real Madrid 56,849 euros a day (almost nine million pesetas). If Capello keeps but does not call the player until June, the player would have spent 169 days on the sidelines, at a cost of 9.607.481 euros thrown to the wind. Almost 1,600 million of the old pesetas. At the moment, the 25 days already on the margins have cost 1.421.225 euros.

translated from spanish; taken from david beckhamfans online

"First, I would say David is a friend of mine and that he is a great player. He has chosen a change in his career and he deserves the utmost respect from everyone," Guti told a news conference.

"We would all like to see him not only training with us but playing as well, but it is a club decision that is out of our hands. We want every player to participate, especially ones as important as David."


guti told at the press conference about david beckham situation which has gone from bad to worse. it was nice of him to be supportive as they have been teammates for almost 4 yrs now and clearly this situation has gone too far.

"Beckham doesn't do anything for me. In the three years he has been here the results haven't been that good. Now we are trying a new way of doing things," said capello in his press conference later after the match against levante.


what has beckham done to hurt real madrid in such a way they treat him like hes nothing more than an overpaid player?. what hes done in the past 4 yrs has brought real to top spot of the richest football club on earth! they have 'robbed' becks image right by 50% and gained billions of euros (sorry we're not talking dollars here)! what more they could ask?. and to me hes a top professional by not filing any lawsuit against real for breaching his contract and shooting his mouth off in newspapers and magazines telling his terrible story in madrid. come on gentlemen....give him a break. let him enjoy his last moment wearing real jersey as his fans already craving for his actions in madrid. there are plenty of options as few players are injured and beckham is one of the reasonable candidates to fill in the gap. real need someone who can keep high balls for 90 mins and give unlimited supply to penalty box, and guess who can do such magic? yes, david beckham.

from what i can recall form capellos statement is the fact, that real madrid lost and left without trophies in the past 3 yrs was caused by beckhams "untidy" behaviour. zidane met his dreadful form and chose to end his career, although he still has 1 yr remaining in his contract, mainly was caused by instability in real dressing room. hes not the only player who suffers from real madrid dipping form, players such as raul, ronaldo, casillas and roberto carlos have been plagued by injuries and disappointment which led to downward physical fitness. raul has never been the same and ronaldo was left with only few goals scored last season. beckham should probably have chosen leaving real madrid and play with LA galaxy instead of hanging off balance in his former club.

Massimo Maccarone has sent a four page fax to the British media criticising Steve McClaren and his former club Middlesbrough. In the fax he says that the England manger was the "most two-faced and false person I ever met", adding "only in England could such a man with such obvious limited abilities be named national coach." (Various)

taken from eurosport.com


its funny to hear someone share the same opinion as mine. i dont see why he was chosen as england manager as previous managers have their own credit to be proud of, while ste-c has only managed to get his former club middlesbrough to EUFA cup final and lost to sevilla.

Real Madrid's Guti in amazing Capello blow-up
tribalfooball.com - February 01, 2007

Real Madrid midfielder Guti had a blow-up with coach Fabio Capello in training yesterday.


AS says that Guti, after collecting a hefty knock to his ankle, marched off to the dressing room, ignoring Capello's demands he stay.

"You can't leave!" barked Capello. "I am the only one here who can decide when you can leave."

Guti kept walking.

"I have told you, you can't leave," continued Capello. "Come here! I am the one in charge."

Real assistant coach Toni Grande attempted to convince Guti to return, but the midfielder replied: "No, my ankle is hurting. I won't go back. I don't care what c*** the Italian is saying."

Capello also chose yesterday to again isolate David Beckham and Antonio Cassano from the rest of the first team squad.

Beckham, imparticular, was visibly upset by the decision. The midfielder has recovered from a slight injury and had hoped to be recalled for first team duty this week.




thanx to tribalfootball.com

Ronaldo has blasted Fabio Capello in his parting message to the Real Madrid fans, saying he has liked all his coaches bar one during his time at the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo finalised his move to Milan on Tuesday arriving in Italy and will enjoy his first training session with his new teammates immediately.

But on leaving Spain after four years at the club, Ronaldo levelled a parting shot at Capello.

"It's sad leaving," he said.

"I'm really sorry because here I felt at home. But life continues and I have another important challenge for my career: winning in Milan.

"I've signed a contract with Milan and now I'm expecting an important challenge: I'll give my best.

"I've been here four years and I thank all the supporters, teammates, and coach who I've had, with the exception of one …" Ronaldo added, clearly referring to Capello.

WENGER ON BECKS

David Beckham would have remained at Real Madrid and continued playing football in Europe if he had not been discarded, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday.

Left out of the England set-up by new coach Steve McClaren and given only a fringe role at Real by Fabio Capello, Wenger told reporters he believed the former England captain was given little choice for his future.

"I think he was at Manchester United and he was at Real Madrid and (after that) he did not want to go somewhere else, where he felt he was going down," said Wenger.

"I am sure that, 90 percent of his decision is with the national team. I am sure that if he was still with the England team he wouldn't have done it."

He added: "I am not surprised he went for a different challenge, rather than to go down in Europe.

"I don't think he considered a return here to the Premier League. Maybe one year, or two years ago, yes. But now he wants a completely different way of life."

Wenger felt Beckham's stated aim of turning soccer into a far more popular sport in the United States was a tall order.

"America must multiply this by six, seven or 10 if they want to lift their league. One (player like Beckham) is not enough," he said.

Wenger also said there was no comparison in the standard of league football in the United States and Europe, recalling a conversation with France's 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winner Youri Djorkaeff.

"I had a chat recently with Youri Djorkaeff one night, when we had dinner," Wenger said.

"He played for the Metrostars in New York. He told me it has nothing (like) the top level in Europe."

However, the French coach believed that, at 31, Beckham's physical fitness would not be a problem in the MLS.

"He has good stamina and he never had great pace," Wenger said. "But he can last a long time.

"Some players take a dip at 30 and then have a resurgence to the top level and play very well for two or three years until they are 34. I have seen that many times."

DAVE. B SPEAKS

David Beckham said his blockbuster decision to move to the L.A. Galaxy from Real Madrid for a record £128million deal was not hard and he made the move because he cares about the sport of football.

"It was a difficult decision but not a hard one to make. I have played in top-flight football for 15 years with two of the biggest clubs in the world, so stepping away from that was difficult," the former England captain told a press conference in Los Angeles via satellite from Madrid.

"But the decision to join LA wasn't hard, I think there's a huge opportunity out there for us.

"For me it is all about the football and that is the biggest thing for me."

Beckham's move to the MLS club sent American media outlets salivating about what his arrival could mean for a sport that struggles to compete for audiences with the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL.

The 31-year-old discounted his immediate impact on US soccer, but said he had long-term ambitions of witnessing an American renaissance for the sport.

"Me coming to the States will not make soccer the biggest sport in America. There are so many other great sports that it is hard sometimes to compete," the former Manchester United midfielder said.

"But soccer has huge, huge potential and I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think I could make a difference. This is something I believe in.

"Hopefully this could create something that we have all never seen before."

After spending his entire career with Manchester United and now Real Madrid Beckham is also relishing the challenge of playing with team-mates who are less accustomed to the European game.

"I know Cobi Jones and Landon Donovan and there are many other young talents in that team as well," he said

"I have been lucky to get great experience and play with some great team-mates and in two of the best teams in the world, and that is what I hope to pass on.

"I am not coming to be a superstar, I am coming to be part of a team."

Beckham's five-year $250 million is the biggest in the history of football, and was enabled by a rule change allowing MLS clubs to pay one player above the league's normal salary cap.

Though talk has already started about a European exodus to the States in a league where the salary cap had previously prevented such a possibility, Beckham said this was not his goal.

"My move is not to create other opportunities for other players to follow me over here straight away - it's to play football and give my advice to young players."

"There are going to be times when my team-mates might ask me about my experiences in European football - but I think I can give to children.

"One of my biggest passions is working with kids - I love it, that's the reason I started my academies, to see how happy we can make them. It's one of the differences I want to make and there is huge potential for that."

Beckham also said that he hopes the move will lift his celebrity in the USA, saying he even received advice from actor friend Tom Cruise on how to deal with the added attention.

"About four years ago I came to LA and I got a few people coming up to me who recognised me," Beckham said.

"I went back a year ago and looked out of a window and there were 45 paparazzi cars outside - it was slightly different.

"I'm not as recognised in the United States as I am around Europe - but hopefully playing for Galaxy will change that."

Still, Beckham insisted he is focused on the sport and not the celebrity.

"Soccer has grown in the last five to 10 years," Beckham said.

"Soccer has grown a lot but this is one of the reasons I want to take this challenge up - I want to take it to another level."

David Beckham will be worth every cent of his multi-million dollar move to Los Angeles Galaxy, according to club president Alexi Lalas.

The 31-year-old midfielder has agreed a switch from Real Madrid to the MLS side from the end of this season, on a five-year deal worth $250 million including bonuses and endorsements.

"If you want something great, you have to pay for it. Beckham is worth every euro we have paid for him," Lalas insisted.

"It is a deal from which both parties will benefit. Since we announced the deal we have sold thousands of season tickets, shirts and other items associated with the team. He has given the club a lot although he hasn't even played yet."

But the former United States international was keen to emphasise the footballing qualities that Beckham would bring to the Galaxy as well.

"He will help revolutionise the MLS economically and from a football point of view. He was the England captain and shone at Manchester United and Real Madrid, two of the world's biggest clubs," said Lalas.

"He is one of the best players in the world, but he will have to fight for his place here. If he doesn't perform he will have to go on the bench like anyone else."

Real Madrid have decided to drop Beckham from their squad since he turned down a contract extension, and his opportunities in the first team now look remote for his remaining months in the Spanish capital.

But Lalas said Beckham would not be looking to bring forward joining up with the Galaxy in time for the start of the MLS season in April.

"I would love him to come in April but he told us it was very important for him to complete his contract with Real. We will wait for him with open arms in the summer," Lalas added.

"It seems unfair Beckham has been blamed for bad results with England and Real. If these teams play mediocre football it isn't his fault. Football is a game of 11 against 11, not Beckham against 11."

DAVE-B AS PRINCE PHILLIP

David Beckham makes the perfect hero ... especially when you consider the incredibly kind gesture he made for a very sick girl in Canada:

The caller spoke in a soft voice, thick with an English accent. Brenda Johnstone of Hamilton thought it sounded familiar, though she couldn't quite place it. "Can I speak to Rebecca Johnstone, please?" he asked. Brenda didn't think it was a good idea. These are rough days for her daughter. The kind you pray you – and especially your children – will never see. Her beautiful 19-year-old has cancer. Three years ago, a mole on her collarbone that doctors kept telling her was nothing turned out to be melanoma. By the time the truth was discovered, it had spread. Heartbreak doesn't begin to describe the resulting anguish to those who love her. Particularly since doctors have told the family that, without some kind of miracle, time is now being measured in days rather than weeks or months. So when the call came last Wednesday morning, Brenda wasn't about to disturb her sleeping child – especially since it was the day after surgery to remove a cancerous tonsil that had made her girl even more uncomfortable. No problem.

The caller politely said he understood. He even offered to call back later at a better time. Then he dropped the bombshell. "It's David Beckham," he said. Long pause. "I just kind of went quiet for a second," Mom said. "Then I said, 'You've got to be kidding me."' It was no joke. As it happened, Rebecca's aunt knew her niece is a huge Beckham fan. Has posters on her walls. Reads everything she can about him. Follows the English star's career. Loves the way he plays. Even shares a moniker. When she plays, her teammates strap an M onto the end of her nickname – Becca – and make her sound just like her soccer idol. So, searching for something she could do to lift some spirits, Aunt Jenny had done a little digging on the Internet and found one of the star's representatives.

Then made arrangements for a call, though she was never convinced it would actually happen. Yet here he was on the phone. The same voice Mom had just heard on TV as news of him signing with the Los Angeles Galaxy leaked out. By now she was excitedly almost running through the family's Hamilton home. Her husband, Tom, nearly fell off the couch as he caught wind of what was happening. A former semi-pro player himself, he couldn't believe the call wasn't a hoax and started grilling her with questions even as they walked into Rebecca's silent room. Their daughter was asleep. Gently rousing her, she said she didn't want to talk to anyone. Her surgery-ravaged throat was raspy and sore and she was in no mood for socializing. "'How about David Beckham?"' Mom asked. "Her eyes kind of popped." And so she did. After three years of hell during which everything had seemed to go wrong and every attempt to make things better had only made things worse, the moment she put the phone to her ear, the dark clouds parted and a beacon of light flooded into her life. In the most strained of voices, Becca and Becks talked about soccer. He asked how she was doing.

Told her he'd heard she was a big fan. Even mentioned that he liked her nickname. He asked if there was anything he could do for her. When she said no, he asked if he could send her something. She didn't say no to that. Then he told her to get in touch if she needed anything. Four minutes after saying hello, she wished him good luck this season and hung up. It's amazing what a small gesture like a 4-minute phone call can do for a person. I think Disney was very wise to make David Beckham their Prince Phillip because he is most definitely a true life Knight in Shining Armor. [Source, thanks Martina]

courtesy of pinkisthenewblog.com

angelina jolie has been our fav celebs throughout the year and her loss will be ours too. hopefully, everything will be just fine for ange and her family. her mother has passed away earlier today at cedars sinai hospital and its understood that ange alongside family members were at marcheline bertrands bedside at the time of her passing. best wishes to ange and family.....

how this partnership will end soon...news has spread all around the world that ronnie has taken medical test and predicted to join AC Milan much sooner than most ppl had expected. he was left out by unseated coach fabio capello and only played minor part for real madrid this season. AC milan losing their prolific striker andriy shevchenko to chelsea last season, although rumour speculating sheva will leave chelsea hasnt subdued it doesnt stop ronnie to jump ship and ready to help AC milan go through rough season after losing points as a result of their misconduct before WC 06. ronnie, as some expected, isnt goin to find italian league tough as he has shown pretty good seasons at inter milan few years back. however, goin to inter bitter rival, AC milan, seems harden his welcome party in italy. known for his 'tricky' deal with real madrid few years back left inter fans agitated and labeled him traitor. in 2007, he decides to be with AC milan rather than other clubs in europe will, at least givin inter fans a very hard time to digest. ppl have given him lousy names and still, helps real with important goals while playing in champs league. personally, i will give him some time to play in order to gain some fitness and make sure he trains as hard as other players. im sure if hes given a chance he will maximize his ability and be ronaldo that we know in WC 02. ive read capello statements earlier this season to try partnering ronnie and ruudtje, he will work hard to make this partnership work and succeed. even though ronnie starting to gain his form, so sudden capello changed his mind and continue using his fragile 4-2-1-2-1 formation. perhaps, with him moving elsewhere capello will find his squad get goin again and ready to challenge la liga title. absolutely non sense to sideline ronnie as one of the best strikers in the world where he can make somethin useful on the pitch. sevilla, barca and real madrid share points (a week ago) and it seems capellos team might stand a chance to be a champion again after 3 yrs of disaster. but a question remains here, whether real madrid is that good as they publicly announced?. the question seems absurd for madridistas as their team cruised through with two wins in recent matches. however, weaken sevilla and tiring barca squad seem to be the reason behind their slip ups in their last matches. could it be the year for madridista to celebrate somethin after crisis over 3 yrs? nobody knows as i always say, theres nothin certain in football. im curious to wait the outcome of ace striker samuel eto'o who has been declared fit to play for barcelona. hes the reason barca came to be reigning champion for 2 yrs in a row and be one of the most 'able' team in europe, possibly in the world. well, i guess its always be my pleasure to watch great players play their part in a game and see suprising results that i might have thought as impossible outcome. for example, beckham case. 2 yrs ago, real would rather lose their coach than beckham. but in recent weeks, he has been all over but in coaches mind, fabio capello. hes been magnificent though in controlling his temper during tough time when he was sidelined from first team. and most recently, his pending move to LA galaxy this summer has constantly been headlines in all over the world. could this be his final salute to european football? absolutely true. hopefully he'll come good in US and wipe off smirks from their faces

reyshafabriSta

By Chris Harris *cortesy of arsenal.com*

Manuel Almunia has enjoyed a front-row view of Julio Baptista's Carling Cup highs - and his lows.

The Spanish goalkeeper watched in horror as 'The Beast' doubled Tottenham's lead on Wednesday night with an own goal and then led the plaudits for Baptista after the Brazilian's second-half double earned Arsenal a draw in the first leg of their Semi Final.

"It was an unbelievable performance," said Almunia. "Julio showed that he is a good player and a good scorer and I'm sure he will show that soon in the Premier League too. He is very strong and mentally strong as well.

"When he started off at Arsenal it wasn't very easy for him. But now he is happy here, starting to train well and is playing better. The only thing is he needs more chances in the league but with the players we have up front it is difficult to take a place in the team."

Baptista, like most foreign imports, needed time to adapt to his new surroundings following a summer loan switch from Real Madrid. Almunia can empathise with the Brazilian after making the same transition from Spanish football to English life when he left Celta Vigo two-and-a-half years ago.

The 29-year-old's nationality made him a natural companion for the Spanish-speaking Baptista when he arrived at Arsenal. But the Brazilian is not only finding his form on the field, he's finding his feet off it too.

"Julio is trying to speak English as soon as possible and he even tries to speak English with me," explained Almunia.

"I'm surprised. In the morning sometimes he comes to me and speaks in English. I say, 'Julio, you can speak Spanish to me'. I understand he wants to learn. He likes the city, the country. He likes to learn languages and is a nice guy."

"I know that Julio wants to stay here because at Madrid he was not very happy. The situation is difficult because Jose [Antonio Reyes] is involved as well but I think Jose is happy in Spain and Julio is happy here so that is it."

i wasn't surpsised the first time i read this article, i always believe that he's a very good football player even when he was still in real madrid. it was very2 unfortunate for him to be a bench-warmer when he was in real madrid, he's so damn talented but he had to fight the first team with other talented footballers as well. but at least in arsenal he's happy and he'd face new challenges with friendly team mates. i love you julio!!please stay at arsenal help arsenal win something!!

signing off,

*miss-c*