Sample dialogue for an interview with David Beckham in a popular Spanish radio
show Madrid Tonight
Scriptwriter: Mu-lien Ho
P. 39 Mosaic 1 Reading “Madrid Tonight”…and Three Months Later
Make up two sets of interview questions for Beckham: 1) for when he first began with
the Real Madrid soccer team and 2) for three months later.
Hostess: Good evening, I am your hostess on Madrid Tonight. David Robert Joseph
Beckham (born 2 May, 1975) is an English footballer who currently plays in midfield
for Real Madrid soccer team. We are very pleased to invite him to our show tonight.
Good evening, Mr. Beckham. Welcome to our show!
David: I’m delighted to be here. Hello, everybody!
Hostess: Beckham's career began when he signed a professional contract with
Manchester United, making his first-team debut in 1992 aged 17. During his time
there, United won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA
Champions League in 1999. He left Manchester United to sign for Real Madrid in
2003. Mr. Beckham, you have played very well for Manchester United and you are
captain of England from 15 November 2000 until now 2003. How do you feel about
playing career in England?
David: I began my team debut in 1992 when I was 17. When I was there, United won
the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions
League in 1999. For 15 years, Old Trafford stadium had been home for me as a soccer
player, though the club set up high standards. I was expected to do my best. My
performance won me 1999's European Footballer of the Year and FIFA World Player
of the Year awards.
Hostess: How was your relationship with Ferguson your former manager?
David: By the early 2000s, my relationship with Ferguson had begun to deteriorate,
possibly as a result of my fame and commitments away from football. When my son
Brooklyn had gastroenteritis, I was given permission to miss training to look after him.
But Ferguson was furious when he knew that my wife took part in a London Fashion
Week event on the same night. He fined me £50,000 and dropping me for a crucial
match against United's rivals Leeds United. He later criticised me for this in his
autobiography, claiming I had not been "fair to my teammates".
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Since 10 April 2002, I was injured twice, but with me, our team improved greatly from
December onwards and won the league. I was awarded an OBE for services to football on
13 June.
Hostess: How do you see this struggle to balance your roles as a soccer star and
devoted husband and besotted father in family life?
David: I couldn’t blame my wife for taking part in a Fashion Week event. I had to
build up a close rapport with my son. And when he suffered for illness and I am his
father, should be responsible for his safe recovery.
Hostess: What made you decide to come to Real Madrid?
David: I’d been so unhappy during my last few months at Old Trafford. I signed a
four-year contract with Real Madrid on 1 July 2003, with the transfer fee being about
€35 million (£25m).
Hostess: How did you feel after moving to a new team in Spain?
David: I had a hard time and had problems. It was a challenge for me, unfamiliar
surroundings, a different language, and another way of life. It could be a different
kind of training here.
Hostess: What does the newspaper say about you here?
David: In England, people wanted me to do well, but some of the pundits were saying
I was signed to help the club sell replica shirts. I was nervous the first time I went to
practice at the training ground.
Hostess: You were just unsure of yourself.
David: We had a friendly against Valencia at the Mestella, but both I and the team
didn’t go well. People were saying: Is that it?
Hostess: It was quite discouraging, wasn’t it? Do you have other chance to play again
for the team?
David: Yes, we are going to play at the Bernabéu Stadium next time.
Hostess: I think all our audiences including me would like to see you score for Real.
After that game, may I have you here again?
David: I’d like to be here again.
Three Months Later
Hostess: Good Evening, my audience. Let’s welcome Mr. Beckham to our radio show
again.
David: Hello, everyone.
Hostess: I would like to ask for our audience your last game at Bernabéu. Did you
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play well?
David: Everything that had gone wrong in Mallorca seemed to come right at the
Bernabéu. It was going to be our night almost from the very beginning.
Hostess: I’m all ears.
David: Our team cooperated very well. When Ronaldo crossed the ball over, I jumped
and headed it in to the net. My chance, time and teammate worked out quite well for
me to score. Everyone was happy.
Hostess: Did you touch the ball in that game?
David: I chested the ball off to someone in midfield and my fans were all clapping
and cheering.
Hostess: So you are sure that you’ve done the right thing by moving to Madrid.
David: Right.
Hostess: Thank you for coming. Nice talking to you. We hope your career proves
again you the king of the soccer.
David: Thank you very much for inviting.
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