The Godfather of Football

On the morning of December 30, a car bomb attack occurred at Madrid Capital International Airport. The separatist organization from the Basque nation once again occupied the front page headlines of newspapers and TV news. Everyone was shocked by their actions.

This car bomb attack caused panic in Madrid and Spain, and also caused the absence of many players in Real Madrid's first training camp after Christmas, because Madrid Capital Airport almost suspended all domestic and international flights.

But Beckham was not affected by the bomb attack at all. He became one of the few foreign players who came to the Valdebebas training base, in addition to many local players including Raul. In order to return to Spain from Japan, he took a private plane, so he was not affected by the bomb attack at the international airport.

Pay more money, with only one purpose, to catch up with the team's training on time.

Even if his position in the team seems to be declining!

There are very few people. Head coach Capello has communicated with almost every player who arrived on time, except Beckham.

Beckham has forgotten how long he has not spoken to Capello. They even learned a lot about each other through reporters and media reports. For example, Beckham learned from the newspaper that Capello was very dissatisfied with him, not only because of the beginning of the season, but also because he attended Tom Cruise's wedding while recovering from injury. But the problem is that he said this at the beginning.

"One day, when I am old, I will be the same as you are now!" Captain Raul once talked about his views on this matter with a sigh in a private communication.

It's not just because Beckham went to his friend's wedding while recovering from injury, but because he was not in Capello's plan from the beginning. Otherwise, why did Capello announce the cleaning list as soon as he came to power, in addition to Ronaldo, also Beckham and Raul?

Beckham and Raul have many similarities, for example, they don't like to give up easily, so even though Capello announced from the beginning that they were no longer in the plan, both of them still worked hard to perform and prove themselves, and Raul did it and did it well, while Beckham lacked opportunities.

Because there were not enough people, the training could not be carried out, but Capello asked all the players to arrange their own training programs, and then he left with his assistants, while Beckham, Raul and others trained on the training ground by themselves.

They are all veterans. If they don't work harder than young people in training, their condition cannot be guaranteed at all!

This is why even though many people think that Raul is old, he is still the leader of the team. This is not based on qualifications, because if you don't have strength, no matter how many qualifications you have, it's bullshit, but it depends on the prestige established bit by bit over time.

Even though Beckham was rejected by Capello, he was already very popular in the team, including Raul and others who were very close to him. Many people who opposed him joining Real Madrid in the past now accepted him, which was also because of Beckham's dedication and diligence in training and games.

Sometimes, people are like this. When one side of you is too bright and dazzling, people will always ignore your other side!

After training until they were sweating profusely and felt that they were almost done, Beckham and Raul and others stopped the morning training session. When they were about to leave the training ground, they saw the club's general manager Mijatovic standing outside.

Raul looked at Beckham with some concern, patted him on the shoulder, and left alone.

Although he was the captain of the team and had a high prestige and influence in the team, he had no way to stop the team from wanting to sell a player, especially when he himself was not sure whether the player could still help the team even if he stayed, he had no need to wade into such muddy water.

Sometimes the captain is the bridge of communication between the team, the coaching staff and the management, but if you are too controlling, it is not a good thing. On the contrary, you will be the first unlucky person, especially in a giant team like Real Madrid.

"We hope that you and your agent can find a time to come to the Bernabeu today, and we can have a good talk." Mijatovic was dressed in a suit and tie, without any trace of his playing days, and looked more like an elegant Spanish gentleman.

Beckham raised his head and glanced at Mijatovic, "If the club still insists on not giving in on the image rights, then there is no need for us to talk more, but I still want to emphasize again that I hope to stay in Real Madrid!"

"Why don't you give in?" Mijatovic frowned, this damn Englishman is too tough.

Beckham felt annoyed after hearing this. He had heard this kind of nonsense countless times in the past six months. He even felt that Capello was excluding him. One of the important reasons was to force him to make concessions on the contract renewal issue. However, there were two things he absolutely could not give up.

"I only want you to agree to two conditions, the image rights and the starting position. I can give up the rest!"

For a long time, the media kept hyping and exaggerating, saying that Beckham asked for a higher salary and so on. Beckham didn't know if someone deliberately spread it to deliberately create pressure on him, but he only wanted these two things from beginning to end.

The main position is to ensure his own state. He hopes to participate in the 2008 European Cup and the 2010 South Africa World Cup, and even the 2012 Olympics held in the UK. That is a dream honor for him. He must insist on that moment, so he wants to be a main player, but it doesn't mean that he will play in every game.

As for the image rights, Beckham has felt that someone in the club is operating randomly in the past period of time.

Since Florentino and the team he formed stepped down, the new chairman and the new team came up, and the club's authorization issue has become a problem that the outside world is unaware of, but the players are deeply affected by it, especially for stars like Beckham whose image rights are very popular, they are even more poisoned.

Sponsors have complained to Beckham and his agent countless times about the issue of random licensing, but Beckham himself has not received even a penny from it. And what about the income from licensing? Where did it go?

Mijatovic knows Beckham's reliance, because his contract only has half a year left. He is the most dazzling superstar in the current Real Madrid team. After Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo and other superstars left one after another, Beckham has become the only superstar introduced by Florentino.

"We need to discuss your request with the head coach and management, but I can't guarantee it!" Mijatovic was helpless. If the problem could be solved through negotiation, he would not want to sell Beckham. "But I still hope you and your agent can come to the Bernabeu to talk. The club's attitude is very clear. Except for the main position, everything else will remain the same!"

Everything remains the same means that everything will be signed in the same contract as Florentino's, but Real Madrid will get half of Beckham's image rights. This is Beckham's trust in Florentino at the beginning, but it does not mean that he is still willing to do so now, because the Beckham brand must not be lost in the hands of these people.

Many people only see that Beckham is very glorious after coming to Real Madrid. Some people even think that his arrival has caused Real Madrid to fail to achieve results in the competitive level. It seems that he took advantage of Real Madrid after joining Real Madrid, and Real Madrid suffered a great loss, but what is the reality?

Beckham finds it hard to say who is the problem in the competitive aspect, but in terms of economy, it is true that he has a high salary, but he also makes a lot of money for Real Madrid. However, after coming to Real Madrid, some of his personal sponsorship and influence have been affected. The most famous of these is Vodafone's announcement in 2005 that it would not renew his contract, which caused him to suffer heavy losses.

This is not just Vodafone's sponsorship, which directly led to other sponsors abandoning Beckham. In addition, in recent times, the occurrence of random authorization incidents has made Beckham almost overwhelmed. However, reporters do not know all this and will not pay attention to it. Can Beckham say it?

There are a lot of details and interests involved, not only Beckham himself, not only Real Madrid, but also many, many aspects, such as taxes.

Who has not evaded taxes? If a top star dares to say that he has not evaded taxes through some marginal means, who will believe it?

"I said that I only ask for two things, the main commitment and the right of image!" Beckham insisted on his attitude.

Mijatovic smiled helplessly, "Then there is nothing to talk about?"

Beckham also turned his head and looked at the shrewd Real Madrid general manager. He was not stupid. "Didn't you release the news early to attract potential buyers? I also heard that Chelsea has actively participated. Is that true?"

Since Mijatovic saw that it was revealed, he no longer concealed it. "Yes, there are three or four Premier League teams interested in you now. Chelsea is the one in the forefront. We have indeed had some contact with them."

After listening, Beckham kept shaking his head, "I can't go to Chelsea!"

The Blues are indeed very strong, but the problem is that this team now has a very mature structure and a very stable main lineup. He can't go to a team that can't guarantee that he can play in the game. If he wants to go to such a team, why doesn't he just stay in Real Madrid?

"I have to remind you, David, no team is willing to promise you a starting position now!" Mijatovic said very confidently. Those Premier League teams interested in Beckham are more hoping to get Beckham's signboard and the influence brought by this signboard.

Who would promise a starting position to a player who is about to turn 32 and has not played for a long time?

Maybe there are, such as lower-tier teams in the Premier League, but does Beckham like such teams? Is he willing to go?

In fact, in the six months when Beckham and Real Madrid were arguing over the contract renewal, only one American club had in-depth contact with him, and some other teams at best talked to him in the media, that's all.

Watching Mijatovic leave, Beckham stood on the concrete road beside the training ground. He didn't know what kind of expression he should make because he had never thought about this aspect before. For a long time in the past, I never thought that one day I would end up in this situation.

Perhaps, as Raul said, this is the cruelty of professional football.

Every professional player will grow old one day and be abandoned, no matter how brilliant he once was!

Perhaps, Zidane is the smartest person, because he chose to leave at the most prosperous time, and left without any nostalgia or hesitation.

But, that is Zidane, Beckham can never become Zidane!

Beckham was returning home from Valdebebas to his home in the north of Madrid. On the way he passed the Madrid Capital Airport and saw that there were many police stationed at every intersection there for interrogations and inspections, obviously to guard against terrorists again. attack.

After a short period of congestion, when I returned home, my wife Victoria and agent Simon Fowler were discussing something in the living room. As soon as Beckham walked in, he threw away the car keys and lay down tiredly on the soft sofa. , talking about the conversation he had with Mijatovic just now.

"I am almost certain that the authorization matter must have something to do with him. They are now using this method to force you to renew your contract!" Simon Fowler said this in a very affirmative tone. He also had his own news channels and sources.

Victoria shook her head, "That's impossible. We have worked hard to build everything we have today. It is impossible to destroy it in their hands like this. At the worst possible outcome, we will leave Real Madrid. I don't believe that no club will want David."

Simon Fowler also nodded: "Yes, yes, Chelsea really wants David. This team is the most popular team to win the Premier League this season, and is even regarded as the most popular team in the Champions League. This is The fastest rising team in the Premier League in recent years, and they’re in London!”

Speaking of London, both Beckhams are inexplicably irritated. This is not only because they are both from London, but because Beckham has always been regarded as the signature figure of the London Olympics, and Victoria has always been They all feel that everything must be done to maintain Beckham's banner as the iconic figure of the London Olympics.

"Can they guarantee the starting spot?" Beckham asked.

Simon Fowler looked at Victoria, who shook her head helplessly. This was Beckham's insistence. He wanted to return to the Premier League, while Victoria wanted him to go to the United States.

"Chelsea has a large roster of players. They cannot guarantee the starting position, but the salary remains unchanged and they are willing to hand over all the image rights to us. This is what Peter Kenyon called me personally."

After hearing this, Beckham suddenly asked with a wry smile, "Then will I become the second Shevchenko?"

who knows? No one can answer this question!

Transfer means risk. No one knows what will happen after the transfer, so they can only try to avoid it.

"There is another team that I think you can definitely consider, Tottenham Hotspur from North London!"

As soon as Simon Fowler finished speaking, Beckham frowned, "Which team is Ye Qiu's team?"

"Yes!" Simon Fowler nodded, "I got the news that they, like Chelsea, have been in contact with Real Madrid. I believe you should be very clear that the most urgent thing for Real Madrid now is to renew the contract. , If you refuse to renew the contract, they will sell you during the winter break, so they can accept any price now."

"This team's record seems to be very bad!" Beckham frowned and shook his head.

"Yes, the performance of this team this season has indeed had great ups and downs. Many media even called it Ye Qiu's Waterloo, but after entering December, the performance of this team has steadily improved. Climbing up, currently ranked fifth in the Premier League, only behind the traditional top four, and playing offensive football, it is very popular.”

"Ranked fifth..." Beckham was chewing on this sentence. He also attaches great importance to the team's performance. He will definitely not go to a team that is too bad. For example, if he goes to a team, he may be relegated anytime and anywhere. team, this is unacceptable to him.

"Of course, no one knows whether they will fall back again, because they almost entered the relegation zone a few months ago." Simon Fowler said with a wry smile. No one can guarantee this performance, right?

Victoria was listening on the sidelines and interjected, asking: "Is the team you are talking about Eliza Moon working for?"

"Yes, Tottenham Hotspur!" Simon Fowler nodded.

Victoria laughed after hearing this, "If this is really the team, we should consider it. Eliza Moon and I are good friends. I can call to find out more, or invite Ye Qiu out to talk with us. talk."

"Tottenham Hotspur is a team with great potential. They are young and capable. They lacked attention in the past and the media rarely even reported on them. But after Ye Qiu took over the team, look at it. Now newspapers, even newspapers in Spain, report on their games every round, and the world is paying more and more attention to them. "

"Besides, I heard that they are negotiating and negotiating with the London City Government and the Olympic Organizing Committee to acquire the ownership of the main stadium after the Olympics. In addition, they are spending 100 million euros to build a new training base in Hertford. This is an ambitious team."

Beckham knew some of Tottenham's things, but he didn't know some of them, so he was somewhat surprised after hearing them. He also felt the future of Tottenham from Simon Fowler's words.

"But what surprised me most was the team's operational ability!" Simon Fowler shook his head with a wry smile.

"Guess who their two major sponsors are?"

Beckham and Victoria shook their heads after hearing this, because they rarely paid attention to news in this area.

"Adidas and Vodafone!" Simon Fowler laughed.

"Isn't Adidas going to sponsor Chelsea? And, isn't Vodafone no longer sponsoring the team?" Beckham was a little surprised, because he knew very well that sometimes this kind of main sponsor not only brings sponsorship income, but also potential value and influence.

For example, there will be many other sponsors who will sponsor your team because your main sponsor is important enough, because for some sponsors, being put together with world-class companies like Adidas and Vodafone is an honor and affirmation.

"That's why I said this is a team with a great future!" Simon Fowler said with a smile.

After listening to him, Beckham thought about it and nodded: "Then, Simon, you should contact them."

Just as Simon Fowler nodded in agreement, Victoria's phone next to Beckham rang, and the caller ID showed Eliza Moon!