New challenge

Real move won't affect England career, says Beckham

TOKYO (Reuters) -- David Beckham apologized to his new Real Madrid teammates for creating a media frenzy in the Spanish title run-in and said he had been promised his switch from Manchester United would not affect his England career.

"To join a massive club like Real Madrid is a dream," the England captain told reporters on Thursday.

"I'm very excited to become part of Real Madrid. It's a very exciting experience and it's going to be a very good challenge for me, on the football field and off it.

"I want to apologize to the (Real) players because all this is not caused by me. I don't want to distract them ... they're fighting to win the league and I didn't want to upset that."

Beckham agreed to join Real from Manchester United on Tuesday in a deal worth up to 35 million euros (US$41 million). Beckham said he would have had second thoughts if his move had put his England place at risk.

"I wouldn't have done it if it would have affected my England career," said the 28-year-old, on a promotional tour in Japan with pop-star wife Victoria.

"I have spoken to Mr (England manager Sven-Goran) Eriksson about it all because I think he's an important part of my career and ... he just said to me 'Whatever you do, it doesn't matter what club you play for, it doesn't affect you being England captain."

Beckham declined openly to criticize Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson after the English champion announced last week it had agreed a conditional deal to sell the midfielder to Barcelona.

"Of course it could have been done differently but I don't want to talk about that now," he shrugged.

"Real said they wanted me and it is a chance to play with a great club, so I'm looking forward to it. I'm very excited to become part of Real Madrid."

Beckham insisted he did not care that he could not wear his trademark number seven shirt at his new club. Spain striker Raul currently wears that number.

"I don't even think of taking that off Raul. For me, he is the king of Real Madrid," said Beckham.

"Whatever number they give me I will be happy. I have not even discussed with Real Madrid where they want me to play... but it is going to be a good challenge for me, on the field and off it."

Beckham and his wife arrived in Japan amid a swirl of publicity Wednesday for the start of an Asian promotional tour. They were welcomed in Tokyo by hundreds of screaming fans.

It was his first trip to the country since last year's World Cup.

"It's amazing to be back in Japan," Beckham said. "Arriving at the airport was something special, something we've never seen as a couple."

Journalists shown yellow card over Beckham

BANGKOK (Reuters) -- One of David Beckham's sponsors showed the yellow card to the press Thursday, telling journalists not to ask the new Real Madrid player questions about his former teammates, manager, pay or his pop star wife.

After promoting chocolates and beauty treatments in Japan Beckham moves on to Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam where his ever-changing looks sell motor oil.

"No questions about his relationship with any Manchester United personnel -- managers, teammates, owners, etc," said a media advisory faxed by engine oil maker Castrol to Reuters in the Thai capital.

"No questions about Victoria's career. No questions about how much he is paid by any club or any sponsor," it said.

"Beckham simply will not address any controversial points or subjects. Any media that does ask such questions will not be permitted to ask any additional questions."

The media advisory said journalists were "encouraged" to ask Beckham about football in Asia, his World Cup experience, his goals, dreams, children and heroes.

It also said organizers would not allow photographers to take photos of Beckham in "unsuitable positions and angles" during a promotional footballing event, adding that all images, which must be digital, would be checked.

 

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