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Freddie Ljungberg, who made his MLS debut this past weekend, was interviewed by Dave Hollander recently. Now that Beckham won't be playing in the MLS anytime soon, who will replace the sex symbol as the Google object of female soccer fans? Can you say "Freddie Ljungberg?" Well, maybe you can't, but the former captain of the Swedish national team signed a multimillion dollar deal with the Seattle Sounders FC of the MLS. Voted Swedish player of the year (2002, 2006) and Swedish midfielder of the year (2004), he has also graced the covers of numerous magazines and is an underwear model for Calvin Klein. So who needs Beckham, right?
The full interview is after the jump.
Dave Hollander: Are you basically the MLS replacement for David Beckham?
Freddie Ljungberg: I wouldn't say it that way. I decide a while I was coming to the MLS. Maybe people see it as replacement of one star from Europe for another, but I'm just coming to play some good football, to be honest.
In soccer, unlike other American men's sports, the players become major sex symbols. How does that make you feel?
It's a hard question to answer. In the beginning, I had to ask if people were blind. You have to see it as a compliment. In football in Europe, sometimes that comes with it. With me, that's happened. I don't think too much about it.
Are you better looking than Beckham?
You'll have to ask the ladies about that.
Well it seems the people have weighed in you were voted one of Sports Illustrated Magazine's 20 Best Looking Athletes (2007), one of Esquire Magazine's "Best Dressed Men in the World" (2007), one of Glamour Magazine's "Top 10 Celeb's Women Lust After" (2008) and you were named one of E! Sexiest Men in the World. So?
What can I say. I am a shy person. It's almost a little embarrassing.
Were you always lusted after by women even before you became famous?
That's a difficult question. I've been doing alright. Leave it at that.
Do you ever feel like do your viewed more as sex object and not as a soccer player?
Not really. In Europe, before I did a Calvin Klein ad, I (had) some doubts (if) as a major football player I should do that. Will people see it as a bad thing? Should I concentrate more on soccer? But not in Europe, but maybe when I go in America they're like, "Hey, you do the Calvin Klein ad." But yeah, you also play for Arsenal. It's the reverse in Europe.
Beckham was in LA with lots of paparazzi. But you will be in Seattle. Why Seattle?
Lot of reasons why. We have a lot of paparazzi in London. There won't be as many in Seattle. But me, I'm Swedish and I've been living in London for the past 10 years. One thing I've been missing is water. That was for me a major issue. Seattle is a bit like the nature of Sweden. Also that part of America is where the highest percentage plays soccer.
No basketball team. The baseball team is very bad, and football is on the decline. What happiness will you bring to the city?
We have to wait and see for a couple of months. The owners want us to play attractive soccer. That's the game I've played my whole life -- a technical game, scoring a lot of goals, not me personally but the team. That's what I need to bring to Seattle.
This questions is asked every year: What will it take to make American love soccer like they love baseball, football and basketball?
If anyone knew the answer it wouldn't be the way it is. You have to look at the culture and history of those sports in America. Just like soccer has so much history in Europe. Your dad, granddad, your grandma has seen the games. You've got to look at it in America as a new sport and every year it gets a little bigger. I understand we'll be sold out, 28,000 for every game in Seattle. Even in Europe, that's not too bad.
Who would we be surprised to see as a friend on your Facebook page?
I don't have Facebook. I think there are 20 fake Freddie Ljungberg Facebook pages but none of them are me. My friends are like, "You never reply to my messages." And I'm like "That's not me."
For many Americans their biggest exposure to Swedish culture is IKEA. Will you visit IKEA stores if you get homesick?
I've been living abroad for 11 years. I think I'll be fine.
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