Michel Salgado talks football

AMMAN – Having girls take part in football in particular and in sports in general is a step forward for both Jordan and rest of the Middle East region, former Real Madrid player Michel Salgado said.

The Chevrolet brand ambassador said he was fascinated seeing so many girls playing football in the Kingdom.

“It is really fascinating especially in this part of the world as life is really complicated for them,” he told The Jordan Times during an interview.

Salgado played for Real Madrid for 10 years, joining the Spanish team in 1999. The right-back player helped his team win several trophies including four La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League title.

During a 15-year period in Spain, Salgado — who appeared in 343 La Liga games, scoring seven goals — represented the Spanish national team, collecting more than 50 caps and appearing in one World Cup and one European Championship, according to Wikipedia.

The Spanish ex-player, in Jordan for the second time, ran a training session in the Kingdom on Monday and Tuesday as part of the delivery of 5,000 ultra-durable footballs to 50 schools in Jordan by the Asian Football Development Project, Asian Football Confederation, and One World Play Project and its partner Chevrolet.

 “I am really happy to see them [girls] get into sports and compete to be good in football,” Salgado said.

He stressed the importance of Jordan hosting the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2016.

“The opportunity of hosting the World Cup in Jordan will be massive and a great exposure for the country and the region as well,” he added. 

He noted that Jordan must be ready for the contest and show the world that the Kingdom is a special place. 

Salgado said football is an important part of education because it is special and teaches children how to work as a team. 

“For example, by bringing these balls to the children, we can bring them hope and fun, and that is what they need,” he told The Jordan Times. 

Salgado said the events he took part in Jordan will encourage children to work hard and be good footballers. 

“I think the children who live in difficult situations will find their way out through football,” he added. 

Salgado noted the importance of focusing on grass-roots projects.

“The association [Jordan Football Association] started to work very well with grass-roots projects and that is what I am trying to do in the Middle East. By encouraging the federations to invest money in grass-roots projects because they are the future. Investing money on the senior team is a short-term solution,” he added. 

Commenting on the national team’s chances at the Asian Football Confederation’s 2015 Asian Cup in Australia, he said: “I am expecting something very good from Jordan in the Asian Cup.”

Jordan plays in Group D and takes on Japan, Iraq and Palestine. 

“I know coach Raymond Wilkins because I worked with him on TV and I think he is well prepared for the job. It is going to be vital to change the mentality of the players in Jordan, though. He has got the knowledge and the experience,” he said. 

He noted that Real Madrid might win the Champions League in 2015. 

“There is no doubt that Real Madrid has a big chance to win the Champions League, doing something historical by winning two contests in a row,” he said.