Beckham Makes an Impact
El Guapo has officially arrived to roam the plains of Spain.
What had been speculated upon for months became reality Wednesday when the world’s most popular soccer player put on the famous white jersey of one of the world’s most popular club soccer teams.
And while David Beckham’s long-awaited arrival to Real Madrid set off celebrations in Spain -- fans chanted guapo (handsome) and designed signs saying the same -- it was the midfielder who felt most fortunate.
“You can probably compare [Real Madrid] to the Harlem Globetrotters,” Beckham told Real Madrid TV. “They play amazing football, exciting football, but effective football as well.”
England’s Manchester United received a $41.3 million transfer fee and Beckham, 28, became the fourth high-profile signing for the 29-time Spanish league champions and nine-time European Cup champions in as many years. He joins an expensive and impressive international cast that includes Luis Figo of Portugal, Zinedine Zidane of France and Ronaldo of Brazil.
“But what really interested me was the atmosphere among the players, the way they get along,” Beckham said. “That interests me a lot and I look forward to being part of that.”
Beckham’s jersey unveiling -- he will wear No. 23 -- caused such a stir that it was covered by more than 500 journalists from 25 countries and the event was held at Real Madrid’s 5,000-seat basketball arena.
Copa Libertadores
Carlos Tevez scored a 20th-minute goal and Boca Juniors never let Santos’ offense find its groove as the Argentine club won the Copa Libertadores championship for the third time in four years after a 3-1 victory at Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Boca won the two-game series, 5-1, on aggregate and also got goals from Marcelo Delgado in the 75th minute and Rolando Schiavi on a penalty kick in second-half injury time to clinch South America’s most prestigious club competition.
Quick Passes
Seven players were cut from the roster of the U.S. national team that will play this month in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. They are goalkeeper Tim Howard, forward Taylor Twellman, defenders C.J. Brown and Nick Garcia and midfielders Chris Armas, Chris Klein and Steve Ralston.... The U.S. women’s team will gear up for the World Cup with friendlies against Costa Rica, Sept. 1 at the Home Depot Center, and Mexico, Sept. 7 in San Jose. The U.S. women play Brazil in New Orleans on July 13.... Argentina champion River Plate will meet Mexican club team Chivas of Guadalajara on July 12 at the Coliseum as part of a doubleheader that will also have Olimpia of Paraguay meeting San Lorenzo de Almagro of Argentina.
Times wire services contributed to this report.
