By: Leonard Kasra
I had the rare chance to interview celebrity athlete David Beckham during one of his first visits to Los Angeles. Beckham, 38, who made his name as a player with Manchester United, Spanish giants Real Madrid, and lately, Paris St. Germain (PSG), was at hand attending the opening of his second Soccer Academy in Los Angeles.
Beckham who he’d been inspired by the example of British soccer legend Bobby Charlton, stresses the importance of great training in shaping the futures of young players. “The Bobby Charlton Soccer School was so important for me because it gave me an opportunity to have fun and learn as a young kid,” London-born Beckham said.
“I have grown up with football and to see the happiness that football brings to kids; for me that is the most important thing, that they can come in and learn with a smile on their faces. It is about kids coming here and having fun and enjoying it – it is not just about creating players. I always wanted to be a professional footballer and now I am in a position where I can create an academy of my own.”
The mid-fielder was joined by ace television producer Simon Fuller, creator of hit program “American Idol” and Tim Leiweke, president and chief executive of Anschutz Entertainment Group, to unveil plans for The David Beckham Academy. The same group earlier announced an academy in London, part of an arena and entertainment district that AEG is building.
During his exclusive interview with David, Kasra was able to get personal with the star athlete. Here is the jest of the interview:
Kasra: Not since 1966 when England hosted the world cup games and won, has your national team been able to win the cup; why do you think that is?
David Beckham: Well, I don’t know there’s just some great countries around at the moment in soccer these days. And its gets harder and harder each year because the teams get better and better; the U.S. team has gotten a lot better since the last time that I saw them.
Kasra: Since Pele, I don’t think any athlete has been such an international star that you have been, impacting the world, you have got your name on a Hollywood film and now you have an academy in Los Angeles, any aspirations to becoming more active in Hollywood?
David Beckham: No, I am a soccer player, and that is what I am concentrating on…and everything revolves around soccer like the academy I have launched in L.A.
Please watch the interview clip bellow. Recorded at the HomeDepot Center Los Angeles.