Beckham stunned by Real axe
(AFP)Updated: 2007-01-14 09:31
MADRID - David Beckham admitted that he was stunned by Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello's decision to call time on his career at the Spanish giants.
 Real Madrid's British midfielder David Beckham runs during a training session in Madrid, 12 January 2007. Beckham admitted that he was stunned by Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello's decision to call time on his career at the Spanish giants.[AFP] |
Capello is adamant that the former England skipper has played his last match in a Madrid shirt after the 31-year-old decided to sign a 250-million-dollar deal to play for Los Angeles Galaxy in the United States.
"David is surprised at the quotes from Fabio Capello. Nobody from the club has informed him of their intentions. He will continue to give his full commitment and professionalism to the club," said Beckham's public relations representative Simon Oliveira.
"As far as David is aware, he has a contract for the remainder of the season and remains dedicated to the club and its supporters."
Capello said earlier Saturday that Beckham, who is out of contract in Madrid at the end of the season, will not play for him again.
"He's not going to play anymore. He can train but not play. I think you can't play with the same motivation if you have signed for another team," said Capello.
"The player's decision to go to Los Angeles on such a big contract means we cannot count on him, although he has been a great professional."
Beckham's five-year deal with the Major League Soccer (MLS) club in the United States could make him one of the richest sportsmen in the world but much of the massive contract is believed to be based on a complex system of bonus incentives.
"The fact he wanted to go was down to him, not to me. He is a great professional. Now he can stay in good physical condition but we can't count on him," added Capello.
The 31-year-old former England captain has only started five La Liga games and has been on the substitutes' bench for most of the season but he is still under contract to Real, and drawing his six million euros a year salary, until June 30.
However, with new MLS season starting in April, it is hard to believe that Beckham will not try to look for a way to leave Real in the next two months and head west to link up with his new club.
MLS spokesman Stephen Rodriguez said Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas and coach Frank Yallop could try to buy out the remainder of Beckham's Real contract.
"I'm sure Alexi or Frank Yallop will try to bring him over as quickly as possible," said Rodriguez.
"It would be in (owners) AEG and LA Galaxy's best interests to buy out the rest of his contract."
Beckham has not been part of Capello's plans since the early part of the season.
Club captain Raul Gonzalez, Jose Antonio Reyes and Robinho, who are all principally left-sided players, have all been selected on the right wing in preference to Beckham.
Sources at the club have also suggested that Capello has been having doubts about Beckham's commitment ever since he took time off to go to Tom Cruise's pre-wedding dinner near Rome in November.
Beckham's fellow superstar Ronaldo remains part of Capello's plans, but only just.
The Real coach is reported to have told Real president Ramon Calderon on Monday that Beckham and Ronaldo were not part of his long-term strategy, a meeting that may have precipitated Beckham's surprise announcement three days later.
"Ronaldo is a Real Madrid player because he has not had any contact with another team. He's injured - that's why he is not playing (against Zaragoza on Sunday)," said Capello.
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