Beckham looks to Giggs for inspiration
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.David Beckham ruled out leaving Real Madrid in the January transfer window yesterday and angrily dismissed claims that he had feigned injury to avoid playing. He also said he would do a "Ryan Giggs" to get back into the first team.
The former England captain missed Saturday's La Liga game against Gimnastic with a knock but was back in training yesterday and was asked by Spanish journalists if he agreed it was strange that he had recovered so quickly.
He said: "For my professionalism to be questioned makes me laugh. I have always been professional when I train and if I can play I always play. When I can't play I am honest to the manager. I had a problem after the last game and I told the manager. I am not a dishonest player. I never have been and I never will be."
Beckham also denied that his position on the bench at Real was delaying him signing a new deal and cited his old Manchester United team-mate Giggs as a role model in proving critics wrong.
He added: "I'm not one of those players who thinks he should always be in the team just because of my name or what I have done in the past. The situation is similar to when I was left out at United but when that happened I worked hard to get back into the team and I did get back into the team.
"I just look at Ryan Giggs. In my last two years at Manchester United he received some incredible criticism and you look at him now and he is one of the most in-form players for United. People can say I can't play at this level any more but I am confident that I'll prove them wrong."
Beckham also ruled out a return to the Premiership before the end of this season and refuted claims he had pulled the plug on his Real Madrid contract negotiations, saying: "I believe that this season is probably the biggest opportunity since I have been here of winning a title. I want to be part of that.
"There has not been an offer yet but there has only been one meeting and there may be another set of talks this week. I have not put a stop to negotiations as has been reported. For me if it gets to January then nothing changes. I'm not going to be talking to any other teams. I'm not going anywhere in January."
Beckham's team-mate, Antonio Cassano, has been suspended from training following a dressing-room bust-up with the manager Fabio Capello after Saturday's game in which the Italian was again on the bench.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments