Jonathan Woodgate played for Real Madrid between 2004-2006. It coincided in the Madrid of the 'Galacticos' and he fulfilled the dream of any footballer to play in one of the best teams in the world, but Real Madrid and the circumstances that the former defender lived in the white club left a bitter residue on him. So much that Now, at 40, he puts his time at Newcastle before Real Madrid when it comes to remembering the best moments of his sports career.
But from his time at Real Madrid he remembers what brought him here, a time full of good memories at his previous club, Sir Bobby Robson's Newcastle. He revealed it on Jamie Carragher's podcast, Greatest Game: “The best game I have ever played in would be Newcastle versus Marseille at St James' Park”, Woodgate revealed on the Jamie Carragher podcast, Greatest Game. “It was the best performance of my life. I faced Drogba and it was a tough match, but the atmosphere at St James' Park was fantastic.” The Englishman explains how he scored the Ivorian coast. “I scored the man the whole game and I was able to beat him. You know, as a defender, when you have someone. Every time he received, he took it away. I knew that Drogba was a top player and that it was going to be tough but that game I arrived in shape, “he acknowledges.
The central defender arrived at Real Madrid in 2004, after paying 22 million euros, but his stay in the white club was full of shadows. He chained a series of muscular injuries that prevented him from having regularity or establishing himself in the team and was accompanied by bad luck. In his first season in Spain he did not play a single minute. He had to wait a year to make his debut, in September 2005, against Athletic, a match in which he scored an own goal and was sent off by two yellow cards. He only played ten league games and did not win any title. That signing, yes, he remembers it with emotion.
“My agent told me that Real Madrid followed me since I played the Champions League with Leeds. They monitored my progress and then, I went to Newcastle. They also kept an eye on me there. We had a great run at UEFA and then Drogba came with Marseille. I was playing my best football and I knew it was my chance. So they signed Walter Samuel, from Roma, the great Argentine rock and I thought it was all over but, my agent called me and said: “He Real Madrid is going to offer Newcastle 20 million for you tonight. What do you want to do? “.” What do you think? “, I replied. You always want to play for the best team in the world if you have ambition,” he explained.
There an adventure began, which was close to ending before its time. “The signing was done and then, I traveled to Munich by private plane to see a specialist who punctured my thigh, because it was broken at the time. Then, I flew to Madrid and something funny happened. I had just signed for five years and, while the examination was going on, the doctor came to me and said: 'Jonathan, there is a problem with your MRI. It is not the thigh, it is the back. You have a broken back and it moves. It could be a problem .. . “The signing of Gabi Milito already fell in the medical examination and he never signed so I thought:” Oh, no, my dream is over. “The doctor was on the phone with Florentino Pérez chatting, blah, blah, blah in Spanish. He finished and told me: “I told him that your back is somewhat damaged and he replied:” Don't worry, we will sign him for four years instead of five, “said the former white player.
Magpie forever
In addition, Woodgate is reciprocated by the Newcastle fans, who remember him as the club's best defender in the 21st century. His great merit of canceling Drogba in that match, the first leg of the UEFA Cup semi-finals, which finished 0-0 remembers it as the best performance of his entire career. Although later in the return Olympique de Marseille won 0-2.
For Woodgate, Newcastle will always be ahead of Real Madrid. Also ahead of Leeds, despite his famous European nights, of Middlesbrough, his hometown club. Even ahead of the winning goal in the League Cup final for Tottenham.