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Becks: Real will win Spanish league

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-30 07:20

David Beckham predicted on Thursday that his former club Real Madrid would win La Liga this season during an interview with Spanish television in which he also praised Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho.

"As much as I respect Barcelona and think it's a great club, my heart is always with Real Madrid," the former England captain told Antena 3 in Los Angeles where he currently plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

"I think this year, with the manager (chairman) they have, Florentino Perez, I love Florentino. He is such a great man. He makes special things happen at the club. With him there and the players that they've got, I believe they will be No 1 this year."

Perez, a construction magnate who is one of Spain's richest men, was sworn in for another stint as president of Real Madrid in June 2009.

Under his previous term at Real, between 2000 and 2006, he signed top players like Beckham and France's Zinedine Zidane which helped the club win the league title twice and also the Champions League.

He has repeated his policy of signing big names since his return, having recruited Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil's Kaka as well as Mourinho, who joined Real in May.

"As a manager, I love Mourinho. As a person he is incredible. He was one of the first people to send me a message after my injury. He's an amazing man and such a talent," said Beckham.

Agence France-presse

(China Daily 10/30/2010 page15)