QUOTES
“In my opinion Becks is best on the
right-hand side of midfield. I think he has fantastic power when passing or
crossing balls in from the right wing. It’s an ability that not many other
people possess. In our last few Primera Liga and Champions League matches he has
proved he’s back to his best, making at least half of Real Madrid’s goals. I
would love him to be Brazilian so he could play for Brazil.” Roberto Carlos on David Beckham
"And when he feeds, he feeds well. He
does not give you second-rated food, he serves you top class - he is a
three-star Michelin!"
"You are sometimes critical of your
own players in England,but the numbers speak for him because if you look at the
highest number of assists in the Spanish League, it is David Beckham. And you
cannot say that an average player can do that."
"He
is a key player for (them) Real Madrid because I feel he physically has been
their most consistent player until January.In the period when they were
struggling, he was the player that was playing well.
"Beckham reminds me of [Michel]
Platini in France. People were always a little bit overcritical on him until he
finished his career and then everybody will say: 'He was a great player. But
that is the price you have to pay when you are captain of your national team.
You are always criticised maybe too much."
The way someone like Beckham or Wayne
Rooney can do what they do on the football pitch, when their brain can make
incredible decisions in a nanosecond, is genius.”
“He’s one of football’s true stars, an athletic
team player who has a wonderful right foot.”
“That right boot is like a glove. It’s fantastic.”
"Beckham has enough quality to lead
his team and in addition, England have in the team a player like Wayne Rooney”
Diego Maradona on Beckham and The England National Team (2006)
"He's
calm in the dressing room and, when he talks, people listen. I think you will
see the best of Beckham in Germany."
"David is an extremely good player and
his right foot is the best in the world. For crosses, long passes, short passes,
free kicks and corners, he is number one”
"He leads a very normal life. But he
goes to some inaugurations and things like that, and of course it's a circus
around him when he pops up among a lot of people, because he's so famous.”
"But as a football player he's
extremely professional and hard-working."
„Now and then, Beckham is criticised,
which I really never understand”
"I think David Beckham has fantastic
courage. He had missed that penalty against France but then he walked up to take
the first one in shot-out against Portugal. I immediately said 'that boy has
some courage' - especially when you know how many people would back away in that
situation." Uefa's
technical director, Andy Roxburgh on Beckham after Euro 2004
„He has the best right foot in the world."
„For me,no doubt,he is and will be one of
THE BEST players in the world” Sven Goran Eriksson on Beckham
"Beckham is the first name down on the
teamsheet for me.Again he's established,we know what we are getting.He plays at
the highest level in Europe for Real Madrid and has been our key player for some
time. His delivery is excellent and if we can get players on the end of his
crosses we can cause problems for any side in the world." Alan Ball (World Cup Winner) on Beckham
"Beckham is the best right winger in
world football – he has the ability with the ball, flair and works hard for
the team. „
Diego Maradona on Beckham
He is a great figure for football and for our country. He is an exceptional
player, the type of professional any coach would want in their team. David is
not captain for nothing."
Sammy Lee the member of Eriksson's coaching staff on Beckham
“Many times I’ve seen him on his own
applauding the fans after a match and that demonstrates his class.” Arturo
Baldasano on Beckham
"Becks has been a star and has never
given anything less than 100 per cent for club and country.
"He is a wonderful ambassador for
England in the way he conducts himself, on and off the pitch.
"He is the team-mate I have most
admired, for the way he handled himself after being sent off in the 1998 World
Cup.
"Beckham is stupendous. His passes,
his vision... he's the best in the world. But if you look at each player, they
all can create goals and assists. For a striker, this team is a dream come true.”
Ruud Van Nisterlooy on David Beckham and Real Madrid
"I’ve learned from all my captains. Certainly with Becks the way he
dealt with people and the respect he showed people on and off the pitch was
fantastic. On the pitch as well he led by example. I have the utmost respect for
him." John Terry on David
Beckham after getting England captaincy
“He's an essential player for Madrid because of how he plays and what he represents. You should have seen him in the United States...” Ramon Calderon (Real Madrid
President) on Beckham“The good thing about
David is that he has great variety in his game: long balls, short balls, crosses..."
Ruud Van Nisterloy on Beckham
“We are very pleased with David, because he is a
great professional and a great person”. Pedja Mijatovic on Beckham
"
"Before the game he [Beckham] was in the dressing-room wishing us well. His attitude is always good and caring for the team and the club. As players you care for each other... We tried to support him and be there for him. We can't change things unfortunately. He will make a decision. Maybe he has made the decision." Ruud Van Nisterloy about David after the Zargoza game (14.01.07)
"This is a hard time for David and for us too because we want the best for our teammates. The most important thing for us to do is to move on and keep winning games. Beckham has proved to be a true professional throughout his career. He made his debut at the age of 17 with Manchester United, which means his professional career has lasted for 15 years. It's a great opportunity for him to go to the US. It was his own personal choice. He had many other offers from other Clubs, but he decided to go to the States." Ruud Van Nisterloy about David Beckham current situation (January 2007)
“It will be sad for Spanish football and English football because he is a fantastic player, always has been. Now he is going to show his skills in the MLS league and they are fortunate to have
him.”Jonathan Woodgate about David Beckham leaving Real Madrid (january 2007)
"I admire him for everything he has achieved and the way he has handled it - not many people could have withstood what he has gone through”.
"It takes a unique person and that is why he is a good example for people to look up to. I have had nothing but great experiences with him."
"He is going to be a massive figure, not only in football circles over there but the sporting world. I think he will create a lot of excitement that will be good for the league. He already has that profile in the rest of the world. “ Owen Hargreaves on Beckham
"It’s is always sad when a team-mate leaves and David has been a great team-mate and a great professional who has always given his maximum. We are going to try and enjoy these last 6 months that he has left with us. It is a personal decision that he has surely decided on for the best of him and his family. We have six remaining months to enjoy his goals and hopefully he can leave with some kind of title. Raul Gonzalez about David Beckham leaving Real Madrid (january 2007)
"Those who know him know he is a great player and a great professional. He has given his heart and soul to Real Madrid. It's been an honour to play by his side because he is a magnificent person. We are all happy for him, but sad at the same time. He's an role model for everyone.”
"It was something unseen on a personal level due to all the buzz and news he stirred. There had been no one like him prior to his arrival that could get the media in such a frenzy. But what I'll remember is everything from an personal standpoint; everything that we shared as teammates. He's a great teammate and a great professional who has given his all to Real Madrid.”
"He is a great player and a great professional and has always given everything for Real Madrid.He's also a magnificent person."
"David revolutionised the club in terms of interest and the amount of news that it generated was spectacular. There was never as much media interest before he came. But for me what is important is what he did as a team mate and in that respect he was a great professional." Iker Casillas about David Beckham
"He is a good friend and a great player. His decision of starting a new somewhere else must be respected. We would like him to play, but it is up to the Club to decide that. There's nothing we can do about it. The most important thing is for the fans to support us.”
"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. 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."
"David, in addition to being a teammate, is a friend," said Guti. "He is a great football player, who has decided to move to another stage on a professional level, and deserves everyone's respect. What we would like is that he did not just train, but also played. But we certainly can say that we want all our players to participate, and even more so if it involves a player as important as David."
Guti about David Beckham (6.01.07)
"I think that some things can change. In life you cannot close the door for the things and as long as he is a Madrid player, he will try to give everything". Raul Gonzalez about David Beckham
"Despite being 30 years old, he has football to keeping giving happy moments" Iker Casillas about David Beckham
"I agree with Raúl. He is a player that can help us to win titles. Leaving him out of the team when there's still six months to finish the season is very risky" Michel Salgado about David Beckham
"A player of his [Beckham's] quality needs to be playing for Real Madrid. He has such ability at set plays and with his passing, and they are suffering without that” Ian Harte about David Beckham
“Beckham is a great professional that has given everything for the club. What is certain is that Beckham's attitude has been exemplary." Francisco Pavon about David Beckham
„You can’t write him off .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. 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.”. Ruud Van Nistelrooy about David Beckham (10.02.07)
"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." Iker Casillas about David Beckham (10.02.07)
"Beckham has been fantastic, his attitude has been brilliant. When you go for a month without playing it isn't easy to be at your best but he always trains hard and has a very positive attitude. That's why you can always bet on him. It's been a great day for him." Ruud Van Nistelrooy about David Beckham (10.02.07)
"Beckham is an exceptionally gifted football player” Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness about David Beckham
"I have played in some great teams, in Holland, England and now in Spain. Among all the players, there is nobody who can pass the ball like David.The way he can pass is a gift which has only been passed to one person on this planet. Like every player at top level, he will make the odd mistake. But nobody in football can play the perfect game. What really annoys me is that so many people like to criticise David when he doesn't have a perfect game. People seem to prefer to emphasise the things he does not do right nowadays, rather than look at the great things he does for the team. I also get tired of people who make out David behaves like a superstar. I work with him every day, I have had the chance to watch him more closely than anyone else.David never gives his team-mates or his fans the impression he is above the rest. Despite everything the media have written or said about him, he is still a fantastic lad - and he is enjoying football."
Ruud Van Nistelrooy about David Beckham
"Everybody who knows Becks knows he always finds a way to rise to the occasion. I said some time ago that anyone writing him off was a fool, because of all the adversity he had come through. He has the ability to make a pass that can decide a game, and I'd rather have him alongside me than some little dribbler who's going to lose the ball." Owen Hargreaves about David Beckham.
"In a world where celebrity comes too easily, David deserves his fame.
He's been a huge cultural icon for our country but most of all he plays football brilliantly and whenever he wore the England shirt, he wore it with pride."
Prime minister Tony Blair about David Beckham
"In my opinion, he is among the five or six best players in the world and the best free kick taker. For me, David Beckham will always be a legend...everything David represents for football, as an example to children, is reserved for very few people. " Roberto Carlos about David Beckham (2007)
"Madridistas are proud of Beckham. He gives his all during an entire game,regardless of how well he's playing. Nothing measures up to his fighting spirit and the sacrifices he makes for the team. I want him to leave through the front door and I'm sure that will be the case. I hope he does so with a League title because he deserves the best farewell. I respect his forthcoming US adventure, but he must know that this is and will always be his home." Raul about David Beckham (2007)