Best raps Ferguson
George Best last night accused Sir Alex Ferguson of making " a monumental mistake" in selling David Beckham to Real Madrid. Manchester United legend Best branded Beckham´s £25million move " a shambles" and insisted the England skipper should never have been allowed to leave Old Trafford. " How on earth can David Beckham be sold to Real Madrid for a paltry £25m, when United paid Leeds £30m for Rio Ferdinand?" said Best.
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror
PSG fury at Fergie
Alex Ferguson is in trouble with Paris St Germain after secret talks with Ronaldinho. Manchester United boss Fergie broke off his holiday in southern France to meet the Brazilian in a hotel on the outskirts of Paris. Ronaldinho, 23, is in France with Brazil for the Confederations Cup. PSG officials refused to comment publicly but are understood to be furious.
Sports Reporter, The Sun
Juve bid for Ron
Juventus have emerged as surprise contenders in the bid to snatch Ronaldinho from the grasp of Manchester United. United believed they had only Real Madrid and Barcelona as competition for Paris St Germain´s £25m Brazilian, but the Italians could also be in the race. A friend of the striker revealed: " Ronaldinho is not talking about the transfer in public but he has made his intentions clear to his friends. His fist choice would be Juventus and he hopes they will come back to talk to him."
George Scott, Daily Star
Broken Gallas: I will quit Chelsea
William Gallas has stunned Chelsea and alerted Arsenal by turning down a new contract and revealing he is ready to quit Stamford Bridge. The French centre back, who cost £6.2million from Marseille two years ago, has demanded talks with manager Claudio Ranieri and looks certain to ask for a transfer. Gallas, 25, is fed up with being asked to play at right-back and even left-back and finding himself second choice behind Marcel Desailly and John Terry. He said: " I am not very happy at Chelsea and I don´t know if I will stay or not." Gallas´s statement could well spark off a transfer battle. He has already been linked with a move to Arsenal, who need a partner for Sol Campbell. Manager Arsene Wenger has targeted another Frenchman, Philippe Mexes of Auxerre, as his first choice but could switch options now that Gallas has thrown his cards on the table. Manchester United are also interested and if they join the auction it could push the asking price towards £10m.
Lee Reynolds, Daily Mirror
Here come Man U in black
Beckham’s former team-mates look like they’ve gone into mourning for the departing idol - by donning a funereal black kit. It replaces a third-choice blue kit launched just 12 months ago. Fans will have to fork out £39.99 for a short-sleeve top. That should see them nicely in the red.
News Reporter, The Sun
Who needs Becks? He´ll be real-ly lucky to play
Real Madrid 3 Athletic Bilbao 1
David Beckham was last night given a stark reminder of the test that awaits him at Real Madrid as his new club clinched the Spanish League title in style. The England captain was thousands of miles away in Japan but after Real´s display in their 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao he will be in little doubt that a first team place is by no means a certainty. The time difference between the Far East and Europe means it was unlikely Beckham was able to witness Real´s triumph at the Bernabeu, but the former Manchester United star will soon find out just how much he must raise his game to become a permanent fixture in the most expensively assembled side in the world. The Brazilian connection in the form of Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos helped clinched the La Liga title with the goals here, but it was the extraordinary all-round team performance which will have left Beckham with much to ponder before he officially signs on July 2. Some of the one-touch football and almost telepathic understanding between the Real midfield and attack was little short of breathtaking. Ronaldo scored twice and was in imperious form, while Roberto Carlos scored with a trademark free-kick to remind Beckham there is more than one dead-ball specialist at Real.
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror
United they fall
David Beckham´s father Ted has revealed how he believes Sir Alex Ferguson has stabbed his son in the back. He says Beckham didn´t want to rot in the reserves under Fergie, and be treated like Dwight Yorke was by the Manchester United manager. This simply proves that United have to come clean and answer some big questions.
Brian Woolnough, Daily Star
Becks has been learning lingo for two years
Soccer hero David Beckham has secretly been learning Spanish for two years, it was revealed last night. University tutor Prof Ellis Cashmore said he " knew for a fact" the England captain had been having private lessons at his Beckingham Palace mansion in Herts. The revelation has cast new light on the mystery of exactly how long ago the former Manchester United ace´s £25million transfer to Real Madrid was planned. The Staffordshire University sociology lecturer, who wrote the biography Beckham, published last year, said: " I was told on very good authority he has been studying Spanish for at least two years. It would all fit into place about how this deal has been done - and it´s a deal that´s been in the making for a lot longer than any of us ever knew. To believe this has all happened in the last couple of weeks is nonsense."
John Mahoney, Daily Star
Becks must seize chance to make Real reputation
This may come as a surprise to many of you but there is also a footballer called David Beckham. This David Beckham is not to be confused with the Beckham range of commodities, the Beckham Advertising and Marketing Corporation, the Beckham World Travel Consortium, BeckSpice Music Inc, Beckham Hair and Nail Products Ltd, the Beckham Foundation for Sick Children or Beck and Call Communications. Without so much as a by-your-leave, David Beckham the footballer has been sold by Manchester United FC to Real Madrid CF, where he will be required to take a pay cut of approximately £10,000 a week. Beckham is pleading for time to acclimatise to the white heat of Madrid but he will be given scant tolerance by the aficionados if any compromise with their traditions fails to deliver immediate results. There are all manner of commercial motives for Beckham´s signing but once the mania has come to its crescendo in September, a Spanish game for macho men will be waiting to pass judgement. He travels with our hopes and best wishes. Not forgetting our thanks.
Jeff Powell, Daily Mail
Madrid masterplan has Eastern promise
It is only now that the people of Madrid are beginning to understand just what is coming their way next month. Beckhamania is sweeping across the Far East and the journalists sent from Spain to cover this extraordinary event are looking on with increasing amazement. In Tokyo on Friday, Real Madrid´s latest signing found himself mobbed by hordes of screaming kids in scenes that reminded Juan Castro, a senior reporter from Spanish sports daily Marca, of watching the Pope on TV. " I´m not sure the readers will believe me, but it is incredible how many people appear to love David Beckham," he said with a shake of the head.
Matt Lawton, Daily Mail
Becks plays keepy uppy
David Beckham showed off his world-class ability up front yesterday - by playing an unusual version of keepy uppy with his baseball cap. He looked like he was up to some bizarre ball-juggling as he flew into Bangkok. But in fact, Becks had just decided to dangle his cap from his waist as he and Posh jetted into the Thai capital. The couple were heading for a famous Thai health resort to recharge their batteries after a hectic five days in Japan during their Far East tour.
Thomas Whitaker, The Sun
Dodgy spell for new baby Becks
A soccer-mad couple from Transylvania have named their baby David Beckham - or rather, David-Becham. For dozy officials stumbled over the spelling and missed out the K on his birth certificate. Dad Joo Imre, 35, said: “I’ll change it to Beckham, but the procedure is expensive and takes a long time. Even without the K, Becham is OK. You can’t tell the difference when speaking.” Factory worker and weightlifter Joo and his girlfriend Viorica Precup are big fans of the England captain. They watched Manchester United games on TV at home in Cluj, Romania, and hope to see him play for Real Madrid after his £25million move to Spain.
Philip Cardy, The Sun
If you love sushi so much Becks, why eat burger and chips 3 times in 4 days?
He told the locals he loved their national dish sushi, but David Beckham preferred to tuck into burgers while he was in Japan. The England skipper reckoned his favourite delicacy was California rolls. However, on his first day he said: " I couldn´t get sushi in the hotel so I had cheeseburger and chips." The next day he reiterated his fondness for the healthy raw fish on Japanese TV, but claimed this time he was far too busy to get to a restaurant to buy some. So he had to settle for burger and fries at his hotel again. The Japanese were beginning to smell a rat in the former Manchester United star´s claim that sushi was high on his list of culinary delights. So the next day a group of jokers surprised him on live TV by producing a portion of the food. To be fair to Becks, he wolfed it down, then had the audience in fits of laughter by pretending to gag. But 24 hours later he was back on the high-calorie burgers, this time at McDonald´s.
Rosa Prince, Daily Mirror
