David Beckham will never play for Real Madrid again,
according to the club's Italian coach Fabio Capello.
The former England captain, 31, has agreed a move to LA Galaxy in
the USA when his contract in Spain expires at the end of June. But
Capello has apparently ruled out any chance of Beckham playing a
role for his side in the remaining months of his contract. 'Beckham
will train with the team but he won't play,' Capello told a press
conference.
His omission from Real's plans is sure to draw interest from clubs
looking for a short-term loan deal, or Galaxy could even look to
take him to California in time for the start of the MLS season in
April.
Asked whether Beckham might leave the Bernabeu before the end of
his contract, Capello insisted: 'You will have to ask Beckham that
question.'
The former Manchester United midfielder this week signed a
five-year deal worth a reported £128million with the American side,
after finding his first-team opportunities in Spain limited
following the arrival of the former AC Milan, Roma and Juventus
coach last summer.
Capello added: 'The decision of the player is to go to Los Angeles,
he has always been a great professional, but a player who has such
an important contract with another club, we cannot count on him. He
is not going to play any more.'
Meanwhile, AC Milan director Adriano Galliani has revealed that
Beckham had been 'very, very close' to signing for his club rather
than LA. At a meeting on Wednesday night, Beckham was offered a
three-year contract on his current wages, giving him 100 per cent
of his image rights (in Spain he has only 50 per cent).
'Beckham was tempted, his wife was happy to come here, because of
their friendship with Armani, Cavalli, Dolce and Gabbana, but
finally on Thursday morning he said that the American offer was too
big to refuse,' said Galliani. Soccer prevailed over football. And
football, represented by Real Madrid, got angry - and booted
Beckham out of Europe.
