Godfather Of Champions

The day after Twain returned to Nottingham, a number of Spanish and English media outlets showed pictures of him shaking hands with Beckham. The media speculated that the reason for his trip to Spain was not as simple as attending Shania’s show.

His relationship with Shania had been clear to everyone since The Sun had speculated that he had abducted the young girl and gone to Spain. They were just friends. It was understandable for him to attend and support a friend’s runway show.

Victoria and Shania’s friendship was also known to the media, so it was normal for Victoria and her husband to attend Shania’s show.

But was it truly a coincidence that Beckham Tony had run into each other? Who could guarantee that they had not talked about anything during this half a day?

Without Twain and Beckham speaking out, the media came to the conclusion that Twain must have gone to Madrid to lobby for Beckham to join the team. Everyone on the planet knew that Beckham was not happy in Real Madrid. However, given his thirty-one years of age and his wife, Victoria, who hankered for Hollywood in America, there were not many football clubs that had decided to bring him in. At present, based on the summary of news from everywhere, the United States Los Angeles Galaxy was the closest to the truth even though it sounded the most absurd.

If Beckham really went to the United States, he would upset a lot of his fans. Especially those fans who really liked to watch him play football rather than look at his face.

Although Twain was not a fan of Beckham, he also felt that it would be a shame for him to go to the United States. If he could not sign on this heartthrob as he wished with this great opportunity, it would be even more impossible in the future.

※※※

Beckham had already informed his agent to stop the negotiation for a contract extension with Real Madrid. The Real Madrid club did not show enough sincerity in the negotiation and seemed happy for Beckham himself to offer not to renew his contract and leave here. Since that was the case, Beckham would fulfill them.

On the face of it, Real Madrid still said they were in talks with Beckham’s agent about a contract renewal. In fact, both sides had already known for a while what kind of situation it was.

Victoria showed her husband a photo album of Los Angeles. She planned to find a good area to buy a house. Tom Cruise warmly introduced to her the mansion next to his place.

Victoria was delighted with the environment there.

Nonetheless, all of those still required Beckham to give the nod.

Beckham was a little distracted while looking at the scenery surrounding his future home. He had been like this ever since Twain spoke to him. He had been preoccupied.

How could Victoria not know what was going on in Beckham’s mind?

Twain had brought a new option to her husband, and her husband was bothered by it.

Victoria put down the photo album and sat opposite Beckham.

She looked at her husband, “David.”

“I think it’s good,” Beckham replied absentmindedly.

“I didn’t ask you a question,” Victoria sighed.

“Oh…” Beckham smiled apologetically.

“Okay, I’m going ask you now. Do you want to accompany me to America?” asked Victoria.

“Of course, I would, Victoria,” Beckham replied without hesitation.

“You’re lying.” Not only was Victoria not placated, but she also exposed Beckham’s lie with a blank face. “If you really wanted to, why would you be so distracted?”

Victoria revealed Beckham’s heart, and he was speechless.

“You want to go back to England, don’t you?”

After being quiet for a long while, Beckham shook his head and said, “I don’t know.” His gaze drifted to another picture book which was a team publication for the Los Angeles Galaxy team. His agent brought it for him to get to know the team better. But he did not flip through it at the time. Since he was really going to the United States anyway, how much time did he have left to play football? Choosing to negotiate with the Los Angeles Galaxy was not due to the brilliance of the team or how powerful the squad was. It was purely because it was a team in Los Angeles and Hollywood was there.

When Victoria first got the team publication, she also said to Beckham, “This team’s jersey really looks like Real Madrid’s.”

Now, he looked at the white jersey again. It was all sponsored by the same sporting goods company, so it was no surprise that the style was the same.

If the white color was like Real Madrid’s, what about a red color…

It was just like Manchester United.

The red-colored Manchester United and the red-colored Nottingham Forest.

Beckham raised his head. “I’m sorry, Victoria. I know I owe you a lot … For the sake of my career, you’ve sacrificed yours. I’m willing to go to America because I think that can make up for all the sacrifices you’ve made. To be honest, I’m not interested in going to the United States to play football.” He emphasized “play football.”

Victoria did not look surprised. She just shrugged. “I knew it.”

“This might be somewhat holding fast to something. It’s not fair to you. But I’m…” Beckham stopped in silence at that point.

Victoria also did not speak. She picked up the Los Angeles photo album again and looked at it.

There was a brief but awkward silence in the room. Fortunately, Victoria’s phone rang.

“Hello, Simon?”

Victoria got up and walked towards the balcony. Beckham knew it was Victoria’s manager who called, and he was not in the mood to think about the reason for the call. He was still conflicted inside.

Should he accompany his wife to the United States, or change his mind?

Twain’s words still rang in his ears: your hundreds of national team games, your dream of the UEFA European Championship … Have you forgotten all about those?

How could he forget? When he was replaced in the last game of the World Cup, he had wept at his heartbreak at the sidelines. That was only six months ago. How could he have forgotten? What was he crying about then?

He had cried for his own passing years and his long-gone youth. But his dream was still a dream. He had attained all the football club honors that were to be taken. However, the national team honor was still a blank.

He wept that he could no longer participate in the next World Cup. He could only bet all he had on the 2008 UEFA European Championship.

Who had thought that so many things would happen in half a season? He was cold-shouldered in Real Madrid. He not only lost the club’s main position, but he did not even have a position in the national team’s list.

Not to mention the European Championship, even if playing for one hundred games for the national team in a Class A tournament had become wishful thinking.

If he really did go to America, would McClaren, who found him disagreeable, still recruit him for the national team? It was inconceivable.

Henceforth, with David Beckham missing from the international football scene, McClaren could prove to the world how wise he was to give up recruiting Beckham for the national team at that time. He could adapt the national team to play without David Beckham’s playing style ahead of time.

Are you willing to do that? David? You said you respect McClaren’s choice in front of the media and are always ready to play for the national team. But are you willing to put up with cold treatment from a national team manager? He completely disregarded your efforts in the national team.

The failure of the World Cup required a person to be responsible. Eriksson was gone, but that was not enough. To show that his new English team was completely different from the former failed England team, it was necessary to banish a player prized by the former manager.

Consequently, as the former captain of the previous team, David Beckham was banished. If it went smoothly, this banishment would be far away: Los Angeles, across the Atlantic Ocean and the American continent.

Victoria came back after her call. She looked like she was in good spirits, with a hint of a smile on her face.

“Looks like you have some good news?” asked Beckham.

Victoria nodded. “Simon called and asked if I was interested in the Spice Girls reunion.”

Beckham raised an eyebrow. He had not expected this news.

“I think it’s funny. Us sisters have children now and performing in that capacity again… It must be exciting.” said Victoria, looking radiant.

“Did you say yes?”

Victoria nodded, “Yes.”

“Good.” Beckham’s eyebrows were unfurrowed. “I also hope you can continue your career.” Then he seemed to have made a big decision. He looked up at his wife.

“Victoria, I … I don’t want to give up on football so early.” He finally said what was on his mind. Victoria did not answer. Instead, she gazed at Beckham, waiting for him to finish. “This …” he pointed to the spacious and brightly lit room with the high-end furniture and home electronics, magnificent as a palace, and said, “Everything was given to me by football. I don’t want people to think I’m just a footballer who makes money on appearances. I want to prove to myself and those who underestimate me again… that David Beckham doesn’t just sell jerseys.”

Victoria put down her cell phone and waved her arms as if she wanted to say something, but gave up the idea in the end. She turned her back to her husband, wrapped her arms around herself, and looked out the window at the sunny sky.

※※※

Under the same clear sky, in the middle of England, was Wilford, Nottingham.

“Tony, let’s talk about what happened to you in Madrid.” In the office of Evan Doughty, the club’s three big shots got together.

Although the three of them already knew the result, Evan was still interested in what Beckham had specifically said.

Allan sat on the side in somewhat low spirits.

Twain looked at the two men and shook his head. “There’s nothing much to say. I tried my best to get him to change his mind. But he was already prepared. He used his family as an excuse. What else can I say? I couldn’t tell him to leave his wife, could I? I would have fallen out with him on the first day. I could only take the indirect approach, but he had obviously made up his mind. No matter what I said, it was of no use to him.”

“You didn’t try to convince Victoria?” Allan interjected, seated next to him.

Twain glanced at him, knowing that he must be unwilling to accept it. “I can’t convince her, and neither could Shania. She knows the reasons she does things and what she should do in everything that she does. She thinks independently. If an outsider couls persuade her so easily… then she wouldn’t be Victoria Beckham. What’s more, you think the only person who can get Beckham to change his mind is Victoria. I happen to think the opposite, Allan. I think the only person who can convince Victoria is Beckham.”

Evan cleared his throat and said, “It’s no use saying that now. Either way, Beckham is out of our plan. If he doesn’t belong to us, he doesn’t belong to us. We’re halfway through the season and our performance is not ideal compared to last season. But I believe in you, Tony. What gift are you going to bring us at the end of this season?”

Twain extended a finger and was about to speak when his cell phone rang from his pocket.

He shrugged in apology at the two men and turned to walk out to answer the call.

A few minutes later, he came back again with a smile on his face.

“Evan, you asked me just now what gift I was going to give you. Well, I can give it to you now.” He wagged the phone in his hand. “Guess who just called me?” Then, without waiting for the two men to answer, he announced the answer. “David Beckham.”

Allan sat on the sofa and did not change his position. Evan raised an eyebrow.

“He’s interested in coming back to England. Pity that Manchester United doesn’t have an interest in his return. Given that Nottingham Forest is one of the sincerest clubs in all of England, his agent will be very happy to talk to us about specific terms. If he’s satisfied, he’ll ours after half a season!”

When he finished speaking, Twain was unable to stay calm. Things had taken a new turn for the best. Just as the matter had come to a head, there was another glimmer of hope.

This time, Allan could no longer pretend to be reserved. He suddenly stood up from his seat.

Twain smiled at him. “In terms of the tournaments, my terms can satisfy him. What happens next is up to you, Allan. How high a weekly salary are you going to give your money-making machine?”

This time, it was Allan’s turn to be tested.

Van Nistelrooy was currently the highest-paid player in the team with eighty-five thousand. At the same time, because of Twain’s adjustment to the internal structure of the team, the players who were valued by Twain had re-signed a new contract with the club and their salaries had improved to varying degrees. It was a reflection of the Forest team’s good financial position last season. But it was clear that eighty-five thousand was not going to be enough for Beckham.

Twain did not have to worry about that issue. He passed the ball to Allan and then made an excuse to leave the chairman’s office.

What he should be thinking about now was what kind of adjustments he should make to his squad and tactics if Beckham did come to the Forest team.

※※※

Beckham managed to persuade his wife, but the matter was not over yet. He needed to convince his sponsors. The American side had almost wanted to announce a deal with Beckham but had suddenly been informed by Beckham’s agent that things had changed, and Beckham preferred to stay in Europe to develop his football career.

Beckham’s move to the Los Angeles Galaxy team was not merely a matter between the club and the player. It also involved the strategies that Major League Soccer and Adidas had for America.

The terms that the Americans offered to Beckham were almost impossible to reject: a five-hundred-thousand-pound weekly salary! The contract was for five years. Within those five years, he could reap one hundred and twenty-eight million pounds in income. This was a daunting figure. But in fact, no matter how much money the Los Angeles Galaxy had, it was a challenge for them to raise this amount of money alone. Therefore, Adidas needed to be responsible for part of the annual salary to balance out the club’s cash flow.

Hence, it was a complex matter for Beckham to go to America. Now, if Beckham was to stay in Europe, he also needed to straighten out the disruptions from all sides. He must persuade Adidas to let him go to a Nike sponsored team to play football. It was said to be the player’s personal freedom to play for whichever club he wanted, but in fact, the will of the sponsors often hid behind every decision.

If Beckham were to go to Nottingham Forest, then he might—no, must—sacrifice some of his financial interests in exchange for this freedom in his choice.

As for the Major League Soccer in the United States, that was easy to take care of. Because both sides had not signed any contracts or agreements, Beckham had the right to change his mind. Perhaps this would leave a bad impression on the Americans, but it was reasonable. The Americans could not use “default on a contract” to press David Beckham as there was no agreement at all between the two sides.

The Americans and Adidas could continue to increase the remuneration to entice Beckham. But this time, David Beckham seemed to be enraged by how the outside world viewed him. He was determined to prove to the world that he was not so down and out that he had to go to the football desert to make his fortune.

Since he could not play as the main force in Real Madrid and was banished from the national team’s list, the Spanish media mocked him as the worst deal for a player in Real Madrid with all the major newspapers and tabloids making plans for his retirement. The people who disliked him gleefully declared that David Beckham was not a qualified player and that he might still succeed a little if he went to Hollywood to act in a movie. Those who liked him began to lament that they could no longer witness his waning on the field. Hardly anyone still had the slightest confidence in him.

Except for Twain.

Go to America! Go to America! Go to America!

They could hate him or love him, but everyone thought he was set to go to America. A five-hundred-thousand-pound weekly salary beckoned to him, and the Hollywood celebrities were waiting in line to invite him to dinner parties … Aren’t you a man who likes to make money and chase fame and fortune? And now that these are in front of you, what reason do you have to reject them, David Beckham?

Except for Twain.

“…Before you announce your retirement someday, you’re still a footballer first before you’re anything else second.”

He was not the first to say that to himself. Ferguson and Capello had said so to him. But when those two people said that, their tone inevitably contained an underlying imperious manner that he did not like. Only Tony Twain was sincere when he said that. He did not rebuke Beckham in the role of a manager but as a friend. He persuaded him as a peer and considered things from his perspective.

How many of the people who said, “we’re looking at David’s football standard, and not his earning power,” were truly sincere? Was Florentino (the former president of the Real Madrid Club) sincere? That would be a joke.

Except for Twain.

If it had not been for him, Beckham would have just left Spain as a loser. After he came to Real Madrid, the club had not won any of the major championship trophies. The media said he was a cancer in the club and seemed justified in their claims. If it had not been for him, it would have become an iron-clad fact after he had gone, and anyone who mentioned the year after David Beckham transferred to Real Madrid would shake his head and say, “it was a failed transfer, whether for Real Madrid or for Beckham himself.”

The emergence of that man made him determined to prove himself again. Even if he wanted to leave this city himself, he did not want to appear to be a loser and get kicked out. Not only did he want to train hard to get back into the main position, but he also wanted to play with a better standard and become a dominant player on a team. He wanted Capello and Calderon to regret not renewing the contract with him until 2009. He wanted to help the team fight for the league trophy that looked like it was already remote. Before he left, he wanted to let everyone, whether they hated or loved him, say:

Letting go of David Beckham was the stupidest decision Calderon and Capello made in their lives!