Beckham launches autobiography in Madrid
Capitalizing on his role as one of the world's most famous and marketable athletes, David Beckham unveiled his autobiography "My Side" on Friday, describing it as "a nice story, from my heart."
Capitalizing on his role as one of the world's most famous and marketable athletes, David Beckham unveiled his autobiography "My Side" on Friday, describing it as "a nice story, from my heart."
"I've got so many fans from around the world, from young children, boys and girls, to nans and grandads. I think people just like reading a nice story," Beckham said at the swanky Ritz hotel in the Spanish capital.
Sitting in front of a backdrop featuring the front cover's close-up photo together with the title in 11 languages, Beckham said "everything here is the truth and people will like reading it".
Beckham, who left Manchester United for Madrid in June, will reportedly earn $2.4 million from the book.
Publishing director Michael Doggart of Collins Willow, the sports wing of HarperCollins Publishing, said the first printing of Beckham's book was over one million copies worldwide.
"This is a rare occurrence in our industry and a truly international event," he added.
Ghostwritten by British author and broadcaster Tom Watts, the 391-page autobiography has been produced in collaboration with 12 overseas publishers, Doggart said.
The English-language edition went on sale in Britain and 50 other countries on Friday. The U.S. edition will be released on Sept. 25.
Doggart said that the deal was signed after the World Cup last year and the book was completed at the time of Beckham's move to Madrid.
He added that he had never imagined that the book would not be launched in Manchester.
"I know that David didn't either," Doggart said.
The autobiography includes details of Beckham's romance with his wife, former Spice Girl Victoria, and his stormy relationship with United coach, Alex Ferguson.
"Once you read the book you'll see that there's a lot more positive stuff in there about him (Ferguson) than there is negative. Headlines can be misleading," Beckham said.
"I spent 15 years under him and he gave me the chance to be the kind of person I am today. It happens in all jobs. I've left the club now and the club will move on and so will David Beckham," he said.