DAVID BECKHAM left Spanish-speaking members of the Real Madrid squad jealous thanks to being part of the Brazilian clique at the club, according to Robinho.
The 39-year-old Brazilian and former Manchester City star recounted his time at the Bernabeu to Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport.
In April 2020, he spoke of the chemistry in the team and his ex team-mate Beckham, who owns MLS side Inter Miami, saying: ”When Madrid came, I saw that they had a large Brazilian presence in the team and they had Vanderlei Luxemburgo as their coach at the time.
”So, why go to Barcelona? There was a great harmony among the Brazilians in the squad. Beckham was always with the Brazilians. He was part of our group.
”The Spaniards were jealous because he spoke more Portuguese than Spanish, so he ended up spending more time with us.”
After scoring more than 80 goals over four seasons at Santos, Brazilian Robinho moved to Europe and helped Real Madrid win back-to-back LaLiga titles in 2007 and 2008.
Spanish giants Barca had had their eyes on the starlet at around that time, but Real swooped in with a deal before their rivals had the chance to steal their prize.
He then stayed in Spain for three seasons before moving over to City in 2008.
Things did not end on good terms for him and Real when his time with the club came to its eventual end.
He also told Gazzetta: ”My goal was to go to Chelsea. But things ended badly with Real Madrid.
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”They didn’t like Chelsea selling shirts with my name on them before the deal was concluded.
“I don’t regret leaving Madrid. But I am sorry I made mistakes with them when I left.
”Madrid was the club that opened my doors and offered me the opportunity to conquer Europe.”
Former England captain Beckham joined LA Galaxy from Real in 2007 and part of his contract gave him the option to buy an MLS franchise at a reduced rate in the future.
It took him several years, but he took up that option and he now owns Inter Miami.
And the ex-Manchester United winger recruited former Old Trafford pal Phil Neville as his manager in January 2021.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
