Random Beckham News

[Stumps]

Huh ?

I think the only problem is that LAG have games scheduled for a few of the international dates and they've kinda implied they don't want to release him for just friendlies as well, people have already payed a lot of money for those tickets to see him. And the whole, will they pick him once he's playing for MLS debate comes up as well. But they've already said he won't be loaned.

[mel2vicem]

It's a very complex issue, basically Lalas is saying he can only play in the important England matches...but most England managers play their first team even in friendlies, as they can be important in devising a plan of action. With England, it is all or nothing - we'll have to see.

[GossipGirl]

Yeah I was trying to post that last night but the board was down. I love the quotes by his colleagues and all .. so sweet.

I know, they are all so close now. AWW.

[v.e.x]

What a fun job these tabloid writers have!!!!

BECKS: THE TRAGIC DRAGON!
Posh hits roof as he wants a new patriotic tattoo on the back of his HEAD
Exclusive by Tom Carlin

DAVID Beckham wants a large St George and the Dragon tattooed on the back of his head - and wife Posh is furious.

Victoria, 33, has told Becks it will look ugly and has begged his tattooist to talk him out of it.

But the former England soccer captain, 32, who was yesterday celebrating a recall to the squad, is determined to get the patriotic symbol done before he starts a new playing career in America.

Even tattoo artist 1 Louis Molloy has reservations about the plan. He ' said: "David wants the dragon but I've warned him against it, because I think it will be too much. And Victoria has told him not to do it."

A pal added: "David won't give up. Victoria has gone mad at him over it. She's dead against it.

"She's also been on the phone to Louis Molloy, pleading with him to tell David not to go ahead.

"But Becks wants to mark his arrival in America with a new addition to his body.

"He's passionately proud to be English and wants to make this point to all the American fans. Becks thinks he'll be able to talk Victoria round in the end, even though she's up in arms at the moment."

The design will run from Beckham's neck, up the back of his head and on to the crown. It will be clearly visible under his close-cropped hair.

Becks already has around nine tattoos, including a winged cross on the back of his neck, clouds, angels and the names of his wife and sons Romeo and Brooklyn.

He has wanted the dragon tattoo for some time. He first planned to have it in 2005 during the World Cup qualifying campaign but delayed it.

Now he has booked an appointment within the next fortnight with Manchester-based artist Louis, who etched all David and Victoria's tattoos.

A source said: "David loves body art. He's mad about it.

"Now he wants something different. He has nearly had the dragon tattoo done two or three times before but for various reasons it has been put off.

"But this time he's almost definitely going ahead. He and Victoria had a row recently when he defied her and had a huge tattoo on his arm.

"She knows David gets annoyed with her if he feels she is trying to boss him around. He just gets more stubborn.

"So she hopes Louis will have more luck in persuading him this is not a good idea."

Former Manchester United star Becks, currently with Real Madrid, is due to join Los Angeles Galaxy this summer.

And yesterday he was recalled to the England squad for this week's friendly against Brazil. Last year Becks told how he enjoyed having tattoos - but Victoria wanted to put a stop to it.

He said: "I know it sounds weird, but I enjoy the pain.

"Victoria's not keen on me having many more but they're addictive."

[Nyssa 75]

:laugh:

Be careful Lullabylily, you are morphing into you know what!? lol

I read this story this morning, i can understand VB anger towards her hubby bodyart. I mean his latest tatoo on the arm, i will be freacking scared in the morning to wake up with his arm on me, it looks like a snake ........ well of course having a fit Dave on bed might be very sweet to get some consolation

[Lennu]

Awful tattoo if the story is true, please NOOOO!!!!!!!

[Lah]

"Becks already has around nine tattoos, including a winged cross on the back of his neck, clouds, angels and the names of his wife and sons Romeo and Brooklyn."

AND CRUZ TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[v.e.x]

^^ LOL. Your conspiracy theory on Cruz sometimes seems true.

[tanique33]

that was an amusing article. thanks for posting.

[mel2vicem]

^^ LOL. Your conspiracy theory on Cruz sometimes seems true.

Except he does have a Cruz tattoo.

That head tattoo story seems ludicrous, the skin on the head is very different to the skin of the lower body, it would fade, he is hardly going to have a shaved head forever, so what's the point when his hair is longer and I think it is too much even for him. At least all his tattoos now can be covered up. If he does get a head tattoo it will validate this story and then the papers will enjoy saying 'Posh and Becks at war.'

Wasn't there a story a while ago about him wanting a dragon tattoo on the side of his chest? The quotes from the tattooist are almost identical to the ones from that story - hmmmmmm..

[GossipGirl]

I highly doubt it. Though if he gets an idea from this article I will go down there and yell at him myself.

[v.e.x]

Except he does have a Cruz tattoo.

The joke was that the reporter did not mention it. Maybe you'll get it next time.

[Stumps]

I hope this is a made up story ... no more tattoos especially not huge dragon ones !!

I wonder if the tabloids will come up with a story based on his BBC interview ... they always find something to make into a story. Oh wait I know, Victoria manages all the money and doesn't let me spend any or something. Hehe. Gotta love tabloids.

[v.e.x]

I thought Steven Gerrard and David Beckham didn't get along...... the quote does come from a "friend"

-

STEVEN GERRARD needs only one word to sum up David Beckham’s return for England . . . brilliant.

Steve McClaren named the Real Madrid star in his squad to face Brazil on Friday and Estonia next week.

Despite suggestions some of the squad are unhappy at Becks’ call-up, Gerrard is 100 per cent behind boss Macca’s decision.

The Liverpool skipper is a big admirer of Beckham and was disappointed when he was axed by McClaren last August.

The pair have an enormous respect for one another and Beckham even sent Gerrard a ‘good luck’ text before last Wednesday’s Champions League final against AC Milan.

And Gerrard, 27, is not backing the former skipper’s return just because it will mean he gets to play in the centre of midfield instead of on the right, either.

He believes it is absolutely the right thing for the country.

A friend of Gerrard’s said: “Stevie is a big Beckham fan.

‘He is looking forward to his comeback and thinks it is brilliant. He believes it will give the team a real boost.”

Still, Beckham was made to sweat by McClaren before his return was confirmed.

The manager only told him the news 45 minutes ahead of Satur-day’s official announcement.

He rang Becks, 32, in Madrid to deliver the news he was back to face Brazil and Estonia in the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier.

The pair chatted only briefly, but after hearing the words ‘you are in the squad’ Beckham was ecstatic.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was among the first of Beckham’s close pals to be told the news by the grinning former England captain.

And Beckham celebrated his call-up with an electric display, setting up two goals in a 3-1 La Liga victory over Deportivo La Coruna.

Now Dutch ace Van Nistelrooy, who also formed a devastating partnership with Becks at Manchester United, believes his Madrid team-mate has made a mistake by bowing out and going off to play in America too soon.

Van Nistelrooy, 30, shares many people’s fears that Becks’ move to LA Galaxy this summer will bring his career at the highest level to a premature end.

The Dutch hitman said: “I feel it’s too early for David to be going to America.

“With the level he’s at now he can continue it for a lot of years, but I’m not sure he can change it around now.

“I don’t know if it will damage his game, we’ll have to see how things go. But at the moment he is at his best, the players around him benefit from that and it’s very enjoyable for him too.”

Becks agreed his move to the US in January when he was an international outcast and could not get a game for Real.

On Saturday night he walked off with his name echoing around the Bernabeu after inspiring Real’s 3-1 win over Deportivo which kept them top on goal difference from rivals Barcelona.

He is now just two games away from grabbing his first silverware in in four seasons in Spain.

But first, Becks is finally ready to add to his 94 England caps.

He is determined to stamp his authority on Friday’s Wembley friendly with Brazil and the vital Group E qualifier in Tallinn on Wednesday week to avoid a return to the wilderness and reach a century of appearances for his country.

Van Nistelrooy played alongside Beckham for two years at Old Trafford before they were reunited at Real last summer. And the striker insists his pal will fight to prolong his international career from across the Atlantic.

The Dutchman added: “I think he could carry on playing for England after he has gone to America.

“It’s a bit of travelling but David is in great form and he has been playing at the very best of his game.

“That’s why he deserves to be back in the England side and back at the highest level.”

Becks could also seek a loan move back to Europe when the American MLS shuts down from November 18 until April.

A string of Premiership clubs would be interested — but Van Nistelrooy hopes he would return to the Bernabeu. He said: “Maybe David could come back and play for Real Madrid on loan next season.

“We’ll definitely miss him and it would be great to have him back if he decides he wants the games to stay sharp.”

Real boss Fabio Capello cannot stop singing Beckham’s praises either after he helped Madrid to their ninth win in 10 games.

Apart from setting up two goals for Sergio Ramos and Raul, Becks also hit a post with a stunning 20- yard free-kick against Deportivo.

Capello said: “David is playing better than he has over the last two years.

“When he puts the ball into the centre he does it with much precision, speed and quality. He is in great shape.”

-

And here's a picture... I got a little thrill seeing Umberto Eco and David Beckham together. Don't know if anyone else here cares.

[Stumps]

That's what I had thought as well, but apparently in his auto-biography he speaks quite highly of David. But then again this article could be complete rubbish. And I think they may have twisted RVN's words a bit but meh.

I like the title of this article :

Capello swoons over vintage performance
Peter Jenson in Madrid

David Beckham will be looking to roll back the years when he wins his 95th cap for England at the new Wembley Stadium on Friday in the friendly against Brazil and his impressive display for Real Madrid in their 3-1 win over Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday will have served as the perfect dress rehearsal.

Not since the heady days of his arrival nearly four years ago has his every touch been so appreciated by supporters, who credit his return to favour in the Spanish capital as the trigger for Real’s formidable, late-season assault on the title.

The 80,000 fans who packed the Bernabéu for Real’s sixth straight win swooned at Beckham’s cross-field passes to feet, roared when he tackled back to win apparent lost causes and vented their fury when he was booked for being too close to Joan Capdevila as the Deportivo full back took a throw-in. There were standing ovations every time he took a corner and slow handclaps of appreciation before his free kicks.

And Beckham did not let the locals down, delivering an inspired display that helped to take Real to within two wins of the Spanish title – and the first medal of his career in Spain. He had a hand in two of the goals and came close to scoring when a free kick thumped against a post.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, who scored Real’s third goal – his 31st of the season, edging him closer to a Golden Boot award – joined in the praise for his former Manchester United teammate. “He completely deserves the [England] recall,” he said. “Most players would have given up in that situation and said, ‘That’s it for me.’ But he has done it for himself, brought himself back into the reckoning.”

Fabio Capello, the Real coach who, like Steve McClaren, discarded Beckham this season before being forced into a rethink, said: “Beckham is playing his best football for two years. He is mentally right and he is so focused. Everybody knows that when he is on form, he knows exactly where to put the ball and he crosses it with pace and great quality.”

Beckham rounded off his penultimate night at the Bernabéu by running to fans at one end of the stadium to give away his shirt. He then made straight for a private flight to England before joining up with his international teammates.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 848360.ece

[mel2vicem]

I don't think they are foes at all, David calls him 'Stevie G' for gods sake lol.

[Stumps]

I don't think they are foes at all, David calls him 'Stevie G' for gods sake lol.

Really ? Haha. I don't know how I got that impression but I guess the tabs stories about it didn't help. After his axing there were alot of stories about how X,Y,Z were unhappy about this and that with him. Who knows the truth ?

[malina19]

thanks for all the article.

[v.e.x]

Who knows the truth ?

I don't think Stevie G lurks denden.

[v.e.x]

From somewhere: "A writer from Sports Illustrated was in Madrid at the weekend to watch the game and interview Beckham for the famous American magazine."

[tanique33]

this is a random quote, from rudd, that i like. david praise, never gets old.

The striker knows he's been able to score 23 strikes thanks to his teammates' help, particularly David Beckham's, with whom he has a special bond. "I'm happy for myself and for David," said Ruud, "He's managed to completely change the situation he was in. Other players would have said, 'well that's it,' but not David. He's worked very, very hard and has even managed to play for England again. He deserves it. He is one of our leaders. His passes and crosses are essential to the team. I've told him we will need him next season, but I don't think we're going to be that lucky."

realmadrid.com

[tanique33]

now we know what will be going on, during the break, for some of hte boys.

Nine Madridistas head to their respective national team camps

In addition to Casillas and Sergio Ramos, who were called up by Spanish national coach Luis Aragonés for matches against Latvia and Liechtenstein, Miguel Torres will join the Spain Under-21 team against Georgia and six others will travel to their respective camps: Robinho and Marcelo (Brazil), Cannavaro (Italy), Beckham (England), Gago (Argentina), and Diarra (Mali).

Football in Spain comes to a halt this week and nine Madridistas will miss several days, play many minutes, and rack up many frequent flier miles as they join their respective national teams for international friendlies and qualifiers. Casillas and Sergio Ramos join the Spanish camp for two matches, the first against Latvia in Riga on 2 June. After returning to Madrid, the Reds travel to Zurich to play Liechtenstein on 6 June. Miguel Torres has been called up by the Under-21 team for a match against Georgia in Tbilisi.

"Azzurri" captain Cannavaro
Italian coach Roberto Donadoni has complete faith in Real Madrid's centre back to captain the "Azzurri" into action. Cannavaro will play against the Faroe Islands and Lithuania on 2 and 6 June, respectively, and will not return to the Spanish capital until Thursday the 7th.

Robinho and Marcelo join Brazil; Beckham heads to England
Robinho continues being a mainstay on Dunga's “Canarinha”. Joining the Madridista attacking midfielder is his young compatriot Marcelo. The two will meet up with David Beckham in London, although they'll be on opposite ends of the pitch. Brazil will then fly to Dortmund, Germany for a match against Turkey on 5 June. Meanwhile, the Englishman returns to the Lions after a long hiatus -since the 2006 World Cup in Germany-. After the clash against Brazil, Beckham has another match against Estonia.

realmadrid.com

[tanique33]

David Beckham’s £50million McClaren’s England Appeal

WHILE England boss Steve McClaren fumbles around for a saviour, David Beckham’s already ballooning bank account could swell to the tune of an extra £50million.

Beckham will cash in if he can inspire his wilting countrymen to Euro qualification.

According to the Telegraph, the former Manchester United icon’s recall to the England squad could trigger a whole new set of lucrative sponsorship deals. But it could also put his Los Angeles future in doubt.

PR guru Max Clifford looks at Beckham’s MLS career . Says he: “If in the next couple of games he really makes a name for himself again you can see a situation where he is going to say 'why on earth am I doing going to Los Angeles?' which is basically a retirement plan.”

However, neither wife Victoria, desperate for promotion to the Hollywood A-list, nor LA Galaxy manager Alexei Lalas will be too thrilled about their star man’s England recall.

Commenting on Beckham’s inclusion in the latest England squad, Lalas tells us: “I don't want to stand in the way of a player representing his country but we have to be prudent and understand they have to be the appropriate games. But from a business perspective, it is not the greatest news as we are selling a team with David Beckham in it and a lot of people are excited about seeing him play with the Galaxy.”

Rumours are that the dismal and desperate McClaren is set to recall Gary Lineker, Glenn Hoddle and Bobby Charlton.

anorak.co.uk

[tanique33]

Beckham's Chance of Starting Improves

David Beckham's Chance of Starting Improves After England Teammate Aaron Lennon Pulls Out

LONDON - David Beckham's chance of starting for England improved when teammate Aaron Lennon withdrew Sunday from games against Brazil and Estonia because of a knee injury.

The 20-year-old Tottenham winger limped off after 10 minutes of Friday's England "B" victory over Albania. A scan on Saturday ruled him out of an exhibition against Brazil on June 1 at Wembley and the European Championship qualifier at Estonia on June 6, according to the English Football Association.

Beckham was recalled to the England team this week by coach Steve McClaren after being overlooked for nine matches since last year's World Cup.

After replacing Sven-Goran Eriksson at the end of the World Cup, McClaren dropped Beckham, the former England captain. McClaren said he didn't see a future on the team for the 32-year-old Real Madrid midfielder.

Beckham's recently improved play prompted McClaren to change his mind

Beckham, who has played 94 games for his country, signed a deal to play for the MLS's Los Angeles Galaxy next month.

readingeagle.com

[tanique33]

and finallyyyyy. i quite liked this one. it's long, but enjoyable.

Return of Becks
Resurgent Beckham powering Real to top of La Liga

MADRID -- A funny thing happened here on David Beckham's path to European soccer irrelevance.

Beckham has made himself matter again at the highest levels of the sport. And the Los Angeles Galaxy is suddenly starting to look like a band of geniuses for signing the 32-year-old Beckham to a guaranteed five-year, $32.5 million contract (plus mega-incentives) before his remarkable resurgence on the European stage.

The latest chapter in Beckham's revival came on Saturday, when England manager Steve McClaren announced he was recalling Beckham to the national team for the first time since last summer's excruciating quarterfinal exit from the World Cup.

It's a move that was unthinkable in January, when Beckham's England career appeared doomed and Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello proclaimed that Becks would never play again for his team after signing with Los Angeles, the Major League Soccer outfit he's set to join in July.

Now Beckham is expected to be in the lineup on Friday when England meets Brazil in a friendly at the new Wembley Stadium -- and when it takes on Estonia in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier the following Wednesday.

Yet Beckham has done more than just work his tail off (and keep his mouth shut) to regain his spot in Madrid's starting lineup. He has also rediscovered the game-changing qualities of his finest years. On Saturday night, he took the field here at the Estadio Bernabéu and produced another gem in a series of sterling performances that have helped thrust Real Madrid to the top of Spain's La Liga.

In a pressure-packed race that's infinitely more compelling than the NBA or NHL playoffs, Madrid beat Deportivo La Coruña 3-1 to maintain the slimmest of advantages over archrival Barcelona. Pundits here are calling it the best league finish in a decade, and who's to argue? With two games remaining, both Madrid and Barça have 72 points, but Madrid owns the tie-breaker based on head-to-head results.

Beckham needs only two more wins to raise his first trophy in Spanish soccer, and on Saturday he was breathtaking. Time and again he whipped ferocious crosses into the box, unhinged the Depor defense with 40-yard passes on a dime and hustled to save balls that most players would have let roll out of bounds.

It was Beckham's cross (with his supposedly useless left foot) that set up Madrid's first goal, Beckham's pinpoint free kick that Raúl headed in for the game-winning strike, and Beckham's set-piece blast that pinged off the right post early in the second half. More than 80,000 adoring madridistas roared their approval, and the city's farewell love affair with Beckham only continued when I picked up the Spanish sports dailies on Sunday morning.

In his "Tactical Analysis" column in Marca, Juan I. García-Ochoa wrote that Real Madrid "is now a team that revolves around the Englishman, the only soccer player in the world capable of dominating games while stuck to the sideline. Beckham is now for Madrid what Kaká is to Milan or Ronaldinho is to Barcelona: the creative center of a soccer team."

Or as the columnist Tomás Roncero wrote in the Spanish daily AS on Sunday: "During this [two-week league break for national-team games] I will travel to Los Angeles in order to steal and rip up Beckham's contract with the Galaxy. If I fail, I have a proposal: To retire the No. 23 jersey and hang it above the Bernabéu. What a player! What an honor to have him in our army! God save David Robert Joseph Beckham."

It was all a little bit over the top. But not by much. For while Madrid's run isn't due solely to Beckham -- Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robinho, Raúl and Roberto Carlos have also played major roles -- there's no denying that Beckham has consistently been producing magic on the right wing.

In fact, only four months after European journos were writing Beckham's career epitaph, they're wondering how his talent could be wasted in Los Angeles, which is invariably described in the British and Spanish press as a soccer "backwater."

In the media mixed zone at the Bernabéu after Saturday's game, the talk revolved around two questions:

• Is there any way for Real Madrid (or anyone else) to get Beckham out of his Galaxy contract or secure him on loan during the MLS off-season between November and March? Answer: There's no way the Galaxy would let Beckham go now, not after so many tickets have already been sold, and a loan is nearly as unthinkable considering L.A.'s plans for a preseason tour to Asia and Australia.

• Is there any way for Beckham to continue playing for England considering the level of the league in the Untied States? Answer: Why not? Beckham has already told reporters he thinks the less-crowded MLS schedule will leave him more refreshed for international duty.

And as for the "backwater" status of MLS in European minds, I'll offer this to my pals in the Euro press: While I've seen a lot of bad soccer in MLS over the years, I'd venture to guess that the league isn't nearly as awful as most British pundits may think. Don't just take my word for it. You can see almost every MLS game online by subscribing to the video package on the league's official website. (At today's ridiculous exchange rate, it'll only cost you about £10 for the season.)

For those of us who live on the other side of the Atlantic, we have our own set of talking points:

• For starters, don't miss the last two weeks of the Spanish season on GolTV, which has been showing the Real Madrid and Barcelona games live, one after the other. It'll be great fun to watch, not least because of Ray Hudson's gloriously caffeinated commentary.

• While MLS execs are thrilled about Beckham's resurgence, they're not so psyched that he could miss as many as five Galaxy games if he's called up for England duty, including a glaring potential conflict with the MLS Cup final on Nov. 18. Here are the MLS games Beckham could potentially miss if he's called up for England games this year (note that all but the MLS Cup final would take place at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles):

Sept. 8 vs. Colorado
Sept. 13 at Chivas USA
Oct. 13 vs. Toronto FC
Oct. 18 vs. New York
Nov. 18 MLS Cup Final

At the moment the Galaxy doesn't exactly look like a team that's heading for glory in the postseason -- as we learned again on Saturday night when L.A. lost to Colorado 1-0.

Then again, you never know what might happen. When Beckham signed with the Galaxy in January, most observers proclaimed that he'd be used as a marketing tool more than anything else. Four months later this much is clear: He's bringing some serious game, too.


si.com