Sports
David Beckham’s field of dreams: The truth behind Becks’ cut-price £18million team
After four years of hard work, David Beckham has realised his American dream of owning a Major League Soccer team.
The former England skipper yesterday unveiled his Miami club, which is set to enter the US top flight in 2020 despite continued wrangling over a site for its controversial home ground.
Locals feel the location proposed for his 25,000-seater Overtown stadium is a nightmare. And 60 days ago, all parties were on the verge of quitting – but continued after finding local investors.
But despite ongoing problems, Beckham described his new club as a “dream come true”.
“This is a city built on dreams and today you’ve made my dreams come true,” he said to thunderous applause.
Welling up, he told fans of the struggles he and his team had faced in the past four years, adding: “I promised my son I wouldn’t get emotional. This is something that has been dream for many, many years.”
Turning to the city’s Mayor and his financial backers, he said: “Thank you for believing in me, in us and for all your support.
“I was drawn to the city because of its diversity. It has been difficult at times but we never gave up.”
Beckham, 42, vowed to build a youth academy in a clear nod to the Manchester United class of ’92 that produced him, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
He would not be drawn on players he has in mind but said he had been contacted by several big names who told him: “I’m in.” He added: “I can’t say their names. There are many. Of course, we want to reach for the stars.”
Asked about potential managers, Beckham ruled out his best pal Gary Neville, saying: “He talks too much.
“On management, all the owners have made it clear, that is my area and that is where my experience will come in.
“We will look for the right manager. It doesn’t have to be a big name. We have to focus on is the philosophy of the club.”
During the launch, Beckham’s showbiz pull was evident as A-list stars from Hollywood and sport backed the club in a video. They included Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, Serena Williams and Usain Bolt.
Beckham’s four kids also appeared, wishing him luck along with wife Victoria.
But despite the fanfare launch, not everyone here shares his excitement.
Protests are expected and flyers have been left around the proposed site urging people to “Stop the stadium”, paid for by Overtown Spring Garden Community Collective.
The group has held rallies where speakers promise to detail a “lack of infrastructure” and “diminished quality of life”.
Local Gustavo Alfonzo, 33, said: “They didn’t choose the best spot. Everyone is against anything that changes the neighbourhood.”
Manchester United idol Beckham knows the MLS well after five seasons at LA Galaxy. When he signed there in 2007, he got an option from league bosses to set up a franchise at a knockdown £17.7million rather than the usual £106.5million.
Former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller joined him in the deal, as well as mobile phone firm Sprint’s chief Marcelo Claure and South Florida tycoon Jorge Mas. But since revealing his plans in February 2014, he has had countless kicks in the Golden Balls.
City officials rejected three previous locations. Before yesterday’s news, questions remained as to why the ex-Real Madrid star refused to give up on owning an MLS franchise in Miami.
Undoubtedly, for a stadium that could only be used 25 times a year, it would appear a financial gamble along with the high costs of funding a team.
But with lucrative TV rights and sponsorship, financial experts believe ownership could boost Beckham’s £336.7million estimated fortune.
“We will generate more money than any other MLS team can dream of,” Fuller said at the original launch.
“The marketing power of a sports franchise is immense.”
Beckham revealed plans to build a waterfront stadium on Miami’s Dodge Island, paying for it himself. However, it required the city to hand over public land just east of downtown at PortMiami, which it refused to do.
His next plan was for his team, known as Miami Beckham United, to take over a site near the Miami Heat’s basketball arena, north of downtown Miami – a spot set to be a new park.
Museum Park would give way to a stadium on Biscayne Bay. In return, the Beckham group would fill in a water basin and build a new park on top of it.
Miami had paid £12.1million to improve the basin and Beckham’s group would not pay them back but offered to pay £14.2million to fill it.
Unfortunately, drawings failed to include what a 120ft-high stadium would look like from street level, blocking out most park and water views. City bosses again rejected the plans.
But sensing his determination to stay in Miami, officials offered land in Little Havana, near Marlins Park – a detested, poorly attended white elephant that cost local taxpayers £176million.
It was clear from Fuller branding the site “spiritually tainted” that it was not their first choice. Yet again, the two parties could not agree on a deal.
Then, in December 2015, MBU purchased a six-acre site in Overtown.
The proposed spot, in a downtrodden area of downtown Miami, continues to fuel anger among residents who would prefer affordable housing. A new stadium, home to millionaire stars, is not on their wish-list.
And any hope the ground would bring jobs to the area also appear ill-founded, with MBU having only promised around 50 positions so far.
Despite yesterday’s fanfare, most locals have opposed the deal. After an agreement to sell the remaining plot last year Bruce Matheson, a local landowner, took legal action. His bid was rejected, although he is appealing and the result is expected in June.
Asked about the stumbling blocks with the stadium, Beckham said yesterday: “I am coming into this wanting to learn, I want to be a good neighbour. I want to make people happy, this is a global city.”
But not everyone is against his club and fan groups are already running.
One fan, Clarence Ruiz, who was at the launch, said: “Soccer cannot come soon enough to this area. It will create a huge buzz, especially among the Latino population. We have to thank David Beckham for choosing Miami and refusing to give up.”
MLS commissioner Don Garber said he was “confident” Beckham’s club would overcome legal challenges.
He said the team has of yet not been officially named and it would be a process that involves the fans, a branding company and Beckham.
Beckham’s American Dream
2007
January 11 – A day after Real Madrid’s sporting director Predrag Mijatovic reveals Beckham will not renew his contract, he announces he has agreed to join MLS side LA Galaxy on a £128million, five-year deal in August.
July 13 – The Beckhams arrive in Los Angeles and the 32-year-old midfielder is later unveiled to 5,000 fans in a ticker-tape welcome and insists he has not gone into “semi-retirement”.
July 22 – Beckham makes his debut as a late substitute in a 1-0 friendly defeat by Chelsea at the Home Depot Center after struggling to shake off an ankle injury.
August 16 – Marks his first start by scoring with a trademark free-kick in a 2-0 SuperLiga semi-final victory over DC United.
2008
March 26 – Wins his 100th cap in England’s 1-0 defeat by France.
October 30 – AC Milan announce the midfielder will join them on loan on January 7.
2009
March 9 – Milan announce they have reached a “timeshare” agreement which will allow them to retain Beckham’s services until the end of the season, when he will return to Galaxy.
2010
March 14 – Tears his Achilles tendon in Milan’s 1-0 win over Chievo, an injury which ends his World Cup dream.
2011
November 20 – Plays a starring role as LA Galaxy win the MLS Cup with a 1-0 victory over Houston Dynamo.
December 31 – His initial five-year contract expires.
2012
January 19 – Beckham commits his future to the Los Angeles club by signing a new two-year deal.
November 20 – Announces he is to leave Galaxy after the MLS Cup final after deciding not to take up the option of the second year.
December 1 – Signs off in style with a 3-1 cup final victory over Houston Dynamo.
2014
February 5 – Announces he has exercised an option in his LA Galaxy contract to buy an MLS franchise in Miami.
2018
January 29 – MLS officially unveil Miami as the next expansion franchise.
Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, cementing his status as one of the world’s top players.
Osimhen surpassed competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah for the prestigious award.
The Super Eagles forward concluded a remarkable year in the imperial Moroccan city of Marakesh, ending Nigeria’s 24-year wait for Africa’s top individual prize, last won by legendary Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.
During the event, Osimhen expressed gratitude, acknowledging the impact of Nigerian legend Emmanuel Amuneke, who coached him at the U-17 level, and the support from fans and fellow players.
“It’s a dream come true for me. I want to thank everyone who has seen me through life’s journey, in achieving my dreams and goals. I appreciate Nigerians and Africa for their unwavering support and encouragement,” he said.
Osimhen recognised the influence of Emmanuel Adebayo, Solomon Kalu, and other African legends, expressing gratitude to his role model, Didier Drogba.
The award reflects Osimhen’s outstanding performances with Napoli, where he played a pivotal role in their Serie A title run, scoring 26 league goals and becoming the first African to win the top scorer award, breaking George Weah’s record in the Italian top-flight.”
Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine football icon, clinched the coveted 2023 Ballon d’Or, setting a new record for the 2022 World Cup champion.
In a glamorous event held in Paris, Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, received the prestigious award on Monday night. This achievement is widely seen as a well-deserved recognition for his pivotal role in guiding the Abiscelete to World Cup victory in the previous year.
Aged 36, Messi succeeded Karim Benzema as the recipient of this award, which acknowledges his exceptional performances during the last season when he inspired Argentina to triumph at the World Cup.
His remarkable displays in Qatar, where he led his nation to a historic victory, enabled him to surpass strong competition, notably from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Haaland secured the second spot in the final voting, with Mbappe finishing third and Kevin De Bruyne taking fourth place.
Messi, a former Barcelona superstar, left an indelible mark at the World Cup, scoring seven crucial goals. His exceptional performance led to him being named the tournament’s best player, especially after Argentina’s victory over France in the final.
While Messi’s World Cup heroics were undeniable, his final season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was relatively lackluster. Subsequently, he made a move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
His former PSG teammate, Mbappe, made a strong case for the Ballon d’Or with his outstanding World Cup performance, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including a memorable hat-trick in the final for France.
Norwegian striker Erling Haaland had a remarkable season, scoring an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City. This stellar performance played a pivotal role in helping Pep Guardiola’s team secure a historic treble in the English Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Both Haaland and De Bruyne were nominated for the Ballon d’Or from their exceptional contributions to the success of Manchester City.
Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba’s ‘B’ sample has confirmed the presence of testosterone, a source close to the case told AFP on Friday.
The 30-year-old former Manchester United player, a World Cup winner in 2018, faces a ban of up to four years.
The original test by the Italian anti-doping agency (Nado) showed the presence of testosterone metabolites.
On Friday, Pogba learned that the analysis of his B sample, carried out on the previous day, had produced the same result.
The player’s entourage declined to comment.
Under the World Anti-Doping Code, Pogba is liable to a four-year suspension, which could be halved if he proves that he was not at fault.
The ban could even be limited to a few months if the use of the substance took place “out of competition and is not related to his level of performance”.
Pogba’s representatives said last month that the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States.
Testosterone promotes muscle development.
Contacted by AFP, Nado was unable to confirm this information “due to a decision by the Italian privacy authority”.
Pogba has seven days to submit his defence to Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal, which will investigate his case and request a sanction, a process that could take several weeks.
In addition to the proceedings of the Italian sports justice system, a judicial investigation will be opened by the Turin public prosecutor’s office, as doping is a criminal offence in Italy.
Since the announcement of his positive test, Pogba has been unable to train with Juventus, the club to which he returned in July 2022 after six seasons with United.
The announcement came shortly before Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri’s press conference on the eve of the Turin derby against Torino, at which he simply said he was “sorry for Paul”.
Contacted by AFP, the club, which has also suspended payment of his estimated annual salary of 8 million euros (8.4 million dollars), did not respond.
Pogba started the season attempting to bounce back from string of injuries last season and from summer surgery.
His sample was reportedly taken at his club’s opening match of the Serie A season, a win at Udinese on August 20, during which he was an unused substitute.
After the first sample tested positive on September 11, Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said she was “awaiting the second sample and cannot have an opinion before the results”.
“What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule,” she added.
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