Beckham welcomes Real to LA

David Beckham says he will be emotional when he lines up against former club Real Madrid for the first time since his 2007 exit on Saturday.

The 36-year-old, who on Sunday became a father for the fourth time when wife Victoria gave birth to a daughter, will play for his club side LA Galaxy against Real in a friendly at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The English midfielder said he had fond memories of his time at the Bernabeu.

“To be facing Real Madrid for the first time actually since I left, it’s emotional,” Beckham said.

“You get attached to a club, you get attached to the people at the club.”

“To go from a club like Manchester United to Real Madrid doesn’t really get much better than that in football.”

“And being successful as well at Real Madrid. So I’ve got many friends still there, many friends as players and the fans and throughout the club as well.”

Real coach Jose Mourinho offered Beckham his best wishes on the birth of his daughter, Harper Seven, and said the Spaniards were looking forward to the clash.

“First of all let me say on behalf of the Real Madrid family to congratulate David Beckham on his new baby girl,” Mourinho said.

“He’s very much respected in the Real Madrid family so we’re very happy for this happy moment in his private life.

“In relation to the tournament, we are very happy to come. Los Angeles has become our home in terms of preseason, we feel at home.”

Saturday’s match is the first leg of a pre-season tour that will take Madrid to Germany, England and China, and striker Cristiano Ronaldo feels the team is ready for the challenge.

“It would be amazing for us to play against Galaxy. It’s the best team here in LA, to play against these guys would be good,” Ronaldo said.

“It’s a good game for us because we’re still in the preseason so it’ll be great. It’s exciting because I always like to play.”

“If you play against good teams it’s better for us, we feel more motivated. It’ll be a great Saturday and I hope, of course, to win the game.”