Future far from Europe
Is it painful to leave top flight football?
I’ve had 15 years playing top-flight football for Manchester United and Real Madrid. Everybody knows that the level of football is different in America, but I have been very honoured and I have had such an amazing career playing for two of the biggest clubs in the world, playing in many big competitions, and winning everything possible for Manchester United, and hopefully something with Real Madrid before I leave. But it’s going to be sad. I’m going to be sad on Sunday because of the four years I’ve spent here and the way the people have treated me. I’m moving on to new challenges. It’s a challenge that I’m looking forward to and a challenge that will be difficult, but it’s also going to be rewarding being that I have the chance to take football in America, soccer as they call it, to another level. I’m excited about this opportunity and will be ready for the challenge.
But to win the League you first need to defeat Mallorca…
Winning the League is still difficult because we have a big match on Sunday. We have to relax because everyone was very excited after the game we played the other day. Everybody… the club, the fans, the players. But the League is not over. We have to win on Sunday. If we win, then we will enjoy the celebrations after.
Was this the toughest season you have ever lived?
It’s possibly been the toughest and most difficult season of my career, on and off the field. 1998 was difficult, but I think that this season I’ve gone through things that I never thought were possible. It’s been difficult, but I’ve had a lot of people around me. I’ve had a lot of friends, not just my family and English friends. I have a lot of friends that have given me so much support while I’ve been at Real Madrid, and especially this season. As I said before, it was the most difficult time I’ve had in my career; not being involved in training, not being involved in matches, and certain things being said about me that weren’t true. I want everybody to know that I have always loved this club and I have always given everything to play for this club and to be out there at the Bernabéu. It’s one of the best stadiums in the world and I have been honoured to play there for four years now.
Could playing in the US be detrimental vis-a-vis being called up for international duty with the England squad?
Without a doubt. The manager has already made it clear there won’t be a problem as long as my fitness is right and as long as I’m playing like I have been over the last six months, which is why he brought me back in the first place. I believe my fitness will be the same as what it is now, if not better. I don’t think I, or anybody else involved, have any reason to worry.
Targetof all opinions
Everyone has an opinion about the decision you have taken…
I think everybody has their own opinion, not just about my decisions over the last six months, but about my entire career. Some people think that I shouldn’t be in the team and others think I should. Some think I’m doing the right thing by signing for the L.A. Galaxy, and as they have been saying, going into semi-retirement, which I don’t think is the case. Then there are others that think that I can play for another two or three years at the top level and I’m one of those people. I don’t think it’s too early to be doing what I’m doing. I think it’s important for me to go to America, to play for the Galaxy, and to be an ambassador of the MLS at an age where I can still perform. I didn’t want to go there with people expecting so much and me being unable to deliver. I’ve always tried to deliver throughout my career, both on and off the pitch. So, everybody has their own opinion. I can’t change what some think, but I have change what others think by the way I have played on the football pitch, and that’s all the interests me.
Even Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke favourably about your return to the English team…
I think it’s an amazing honour whenever a Prime Minister speaks about you. The Prime Minister has spoken many times about me as a person and as a footballer. I’m very honoured and thankful for that, but it’s what I love doing. I love playing football and when I get criticized, it’s my way of coming back as a stronger person and stronger footballer, Whenever the criticism gets thrown at me, then I find a way of dealing with it and becoming a stronger and better person for it. I have to thank the Prime Minister because, as I said, he spoke so highly about me. He’s a man that knows about tremendous pressure, probably more than many people in the world, so for him to take the time to say the words that he has about me and my career, I’m very flattered and very honoured.
The last goodbye
A message for the fans.
For all the people and fans, thank you very much for everything. I would like to thank the press, the people in Spain, the fans in the Bernabéu, my teammates, my coaches... Thank you so much. It has been a real honour and pleasure to play for this team and this club. Thank you so much and farewell.
Your last thought please.
I need to stress that I’ve had four amazing years, whether we won on Sunday or not. But winning this Sunday will top things off for me. I’ve had an amazing for years with this club, the people within the club, the people around the city, and with the press. They’ve all been really kind to me, and I want to say thank you for that. I want to thank the coaches that I’ve had, to the Presidents I’ve had, and to everybody involved in making it possible for me to play here. It’s been an honour. It’s been a dream playing here. I want to wish the team good luck in the future. I want to wish the captain good luck because he has been a tower of strength for many people and for the team, and he’s been a person that a lot of people should look up to because he is very dedicated to what he does and what he believes in. Thank you to him and the rest of the team, and good luck throughout the rest of their careers.
Is it painful to leave top flight football?
I’ve had 15 years playing top-flight football for Manchester United and Real Madrid. Everybody knows that the level of football is different in America, but I have been very honoured and I have had such an amazing career playing for two of the biggest clubs in the world, playing in many big competitions, and winning everything possible for Manchester United, and hopefully something with Real Madrid before I leave. But it’s going to be sad. I’m going to be sad on Sunday because of the four years I’ve spent here and the way the people have treated me. I’m moving on to new challenges. It’s a challenge that I’m looking forward to and a challenge that will be difficult, but it’s also going to be rewarding being that I have the chance to take football in America, soccer as they call it, to another level. I’m excited about this opportunity and will be ready for the challenge.
But to win the League you first need to defeat Mallorca…
Winning the League is still difficult because we have a big match on Sunday. We have to relax because everyone was very excited after the game we played the other day. Everybody… the club, the fans, the players. But the League is not over. We have to win on Sunday. If we win, then we will enjoy the celebrations after.
Was this the toughest season you have ever lived?
It’s possibly been the toughest and most difficult season of my career, on and off the field. 1998 was difficult, but I think that this season I’ve gone through things that I never thought were possible. It’s been difficult, but I’ve had a lot of people around me. I’ve had a lot of friends, not just my family and English friends. I have a lot of friends that have given me so much support while I’ve been at Real Madrid, and especially this season. As I said before, it was the most difficult time I’ve had in my career; not being involved in training, not being involved in matches, and certain things being said about me that weren’t true. I want everybody to know that I have always loved this club and I have always given everything to play for this club and to be out there at the Bernabéu. It’s one of the best stadiums in the world and I have been honoured to play there for four years now.
Could playing in the US be detrimental vis-a-vis being called up for international duty with the England squad?
Without a doubt. The manager has already made it clear there won’t be a problem as long as my fitness is right and as long as I’m playing like I have been over the last six months, which is why he brought me back in the first place. I believe my fitness will be the same as what it is now, if not better. I don’t think I, or anybody else involved, have any reason to worry.
Targetof all opinions
Everyone has an opinion about the decision you have taken…
I think everybody has their own opinion, not just about my decisions over the last six months, but about my entire career. Some people think that I shouldn’t be in the team and others think I should. Some think I’m doing the right thing by signing for the L.A. Galaxy, and as they have been saying, going into semi-retirement, which I don’t think is the case. Then there are others that think that I can play for another two or three years at the top level and I’m one of those people. I don’t think it’s too early to be doing what I’m doing. I think it’s important for me to go to America, to play for the Galaxy, and to be an ambassador of the MLS at an age where I can still perform. I didn’t want to go there with people expecting so much and me being unable to deliver. I’ve always tried to deliver throughout my career, both on and off the pitch. So, everybody has their own opinion. I can’t change what some think, but I have change what others think by the way I have played on the football pitch, and that’s all the interests me.
Even Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke favourably about your return to the English team…
I think it’s an amazing honour whenever a Prime Minister speaks about you. The Prime Minister has spoken many times about me as a person and as a footballer. I’m very honoured and thankful for that, but it’s what I love doing. I love playing football and when I get criticized, it’s my way of coming back as a stronger person and stronger footballer, Whenever the criticism gets thrown at me, then I find a way of dealing with it and becoming a stronger and better person for it. I have to thank the Prime Minister because, as I said, he spoke so highly about me. He’s a man that knows about tremendous pressure, probably more than many people in the world, so for him to take the time to say the words that he has about me and my career, I’m very flattered and very honoured.
The last goodbye
A message for the fans.
For all the people and fans, thank you very much for everything. I would like to thank the press, the people in Spain, the fans in the Bernabéu, my teammates, my coaches... Thank you so much. It has been a real honour and pleasure to play for this team and this club. Thank you so much and farewell.
Your last thought please.
I need to stress that I’ve had four amazing years, whether we won on Sunday or not. But winning this Sunday will top things off for me. I’ve had an amazing for years with this club, the people within the club, the people around the city, and with the press. They’ve all been really kind to me, and I want to say thank you for that. I want to thank the coaches that I’ve had, to the Presidents I’ve had, and to everybody involved in making it possible for me to play here. It’s been an honour. It’s been a dream playing here. I want to wish the team good luck in the future. I want to wish the captain good luck because he has been a tower of strength for many people and for the team, and he’s been a person that a lot of people should look up to because he is very dedicated to what he does and what he believes in. Thank you to him and the rest of the team, and good luck throughout the rest of their careers.




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