Search results matching tag 'Real Madrid'

Apparently there is sod all to do in Madrid this summer

1715701 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:10:00 GMT

Last night Real Madrid unveiled £80m signing Cristiano Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabeu in front of legends from yesteryear, the world's media and 80,000 fans who evidently have nothing better to do.

Watching Ronaldo pose in front of cameras, play some keepy-uppy (badly as it happens) and generally give everyone who isn't called Cristiano Ronaldo a look of utter contempt can't really be a good night out, can it?

It was the equivalent of paying good money to go to a festival this summer only for the headline act to just stand on stage grinning like a half-wit.

If you're as bored as the good folk of Madrid then here's the 'action' from last night

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Beckham: From Captain Courageous to Captain Birdseye

1715701 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:17:00 GMT

In 2006, Max Clifford said: ‘Brand Beckham rested on strong foundations, as long as he’s part of the England set-up. He’s the first superstar outside football; he’s a good- looking guy and there’s still no competitor to his image amongst the rest of the England team.’

He was right – and still is in 2009. Even at 33, ancient in football terms, David Beckham is still the world’s most marketable footballer and is a part of the England set up.

But are brands interested? Since his decision (if it really was his) to leave Real Madrid for Los Angeles two years ago Beckham’s brand portfolio has begun to wane. Gillette dropped him in 2007 and Pepsi has now followed suit.

But his marketing appeal extends far beyond football fans. Why else would AC Milan, where Beckham is currently on loan, want to add yet another player whose best years are behind him to their already pre-historic squad?

That Beckham finds now himself promoting Sharpie marker pens and GO3 fish fingers, rather than migrating to prestigious brands targeting an older audience, is absurd.

19 Entertainment was hired by Beckham to develop his brand globally through the transitional phase of his career - from player to ex-player. What a mess.

Are Chelsea counting their chickens?

1715701 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:04:00 GMT

Player shirt sales are an incredibly important source of revenue for football clubs - so much so that it has been argued Real Madrid only bought David Beckham for his commercial value. The England footballer accounted for around half of the club's shirt sales during his time there.

But before you start flogging shirts at over £50 a pop to fans, it's best to make sure you've actually got the player among your ranks... A few years back a few silly sods bought themselves Manchester United shirts with the name Ronaldinho on the back - only for the Brazilian superstar to head for Barcelona.

This summer Chelsea FC have endlessly pursued Real Madrid forward Robinho with the two clubs trading claims and counter-claims regarding the player's future. However, if Chelsea's very own online megastore is to believed, is a done deal... (click the link and scroll down)

http://www.chelseamegastore.com/stores/chelsea/products/product_search.aspx?search

Let's just hope they're right...