Beckham arrival prompts media frenzy

Madrid is bracing itself for what is certain to be Spain‘s media event of the year as England captain David Beckham flies in to be unveiled as a new Real Madrid player.

The imminent arrival of the Manchester United midfielder has sparked the expected frenzy, with the Spanish capital set to be besieged by hundreds of journalists over the next 24 hours.

Sports daily Marca has been serialising Beckham’s life story over the past week with an eight-page pullout every day, while Diario AS are following his every footstep in preparation for Wednesday‘s presentation.

The man himself will fly in to the military airport of Torrejon on Tuesday morning, where he will be whisked away for the all-important medical on which the deal hinges.

Ronaldo’s arrival at the same airport last year provoked chaotic scenes and even questions in the Spanish parliament as a convoy carrying the Brazilian ace raced through Madrid at top speed with a clutch of journalists in pursuit.

The medical, which has been sponsored by private health company Sanitas, will take place at 2pm in the prestigious Clinica La Zarzuela and will be carried out by club doctor Alfonso del Corral.

Real Madrid TV have the exclusive rights to film the medical, but have decided not to broadcast the event live in case anything unforeseen should happen.

The Madrid website, www.realmadrid.com, will also be covering the event, while Del Corral will give a conference to the assembled journalists when the tests have finished.

Following the medical, the Spanish capital will have almost 24 hours to catch its breath before the big unveiling in front of over 500 journalists from 25 countries in the Pavilion Raimundo Saporta, which forms part of Real’s Cuidad Deportiva training complex.

Usually the home of Madrid’s basketball team, the Saporta will be decked out in white and protected by what the Madrid press office describe as “heavy security measures”.

Within the pavilion, Beckham can expect a welcoming speech from Madrid president Florentino Perez, who will no doubt also comment how the greatest club in the world have the best players on the planet, and how the globe‘s remaining superstars all want to play for Real Madrid.

Real legend Alfredo di Stefano, in the presence of other club heroes such as Emilio Butregueno, will then present Beckham with his new shirt which “may or may not” have a number, but will certainly have his name on the back.

If the shirt does have a number, it will probably be the number four, vacated last week by Fernando Hierro.

Beckham will then say a few words, although Madrid are unsure whether he will speak in English or Spanish.

Not that it really matters, as the club have provided translators in English, Spanish and Japanese.

One thing he will not do however, is answer any questions.

The club have already ruled out any possibility of a press conference and his only interview will be with the club‘s website.

The England captain will then put on his shirt and take the short walk to training pitch number two, where he will show off his talents to the assembled press.

Madrid are still uncertain as to whether any fans will be allowed to witness Beckham’s arrival.

“In principal we’re not planning to let any in, but it depends how many people show up,” the club’s press office told PA International.

After the presentation, Beckham is expected to return to England for the rest of his holidays, before returning to Spain on July 23 for pre-season training.

Beckham should have plenty of British supporters clamouring to see his debut on Spanish soil next season, as his first game will be on the holiday island of Majorca.

Real Mallorca were confirmed as Real’s Super Cup opponents at the weekend when they defeated Huelva 3-0 in the Spanish Cup final.