A Beckham spokesman on Wednesday denied a statement by Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon that the former captain of the English national team intends to leave the team in two years, and also stressed concern about how the club is negotiating a new Beckham contract.
In an interview with the Air Force, Calderon said: “As far as I know, he decided to end his career in two years. It’s great if he stays with us for another two years. We hope that everything will be all right and we will sign a new contract in the next 2-3 weeks. ”
After that, there were reports that Beckham intended to end his career in 2008, but it seems that Calderon, who is not very fluent in English, had in mind that Beckham had two seasons left after his contract expired at the end of June 2007. In other words, this will happen in the summer of 2009.
Thus, Calderon did not announce the departure of the football player ahead of schedule, but rather expressed the hope that Beckham would end his career at the Spanish club at the age of 34. In addition, when asked whether Beckham himself said that he was planning to leave, Calderon was forced to admit that his information did not come from the midfielder himself, but was received "from the words of other people."
The representative of Beckham emphasized that the news of the departure was a complete surprise. “The date of departure was not discussed,” he said. “The only thing that worries David is the opportunity to play for Real Madrid and win victories.” He was also not very pleased with Calderon's statement that the contract would be concluded in the next 2-3 weeks - the last time such a statement had already been made, and just 2-3 weeks ago. Representatives of Beckham are concerned about the behavior of Real Madrid in the negotiations, as well as the fact that information is constantly leaking to the press. There is concern that Beckham will not renew his contract with the Spanish club at all and will leave it next summer.
Formal negotiations to renew the contract finally began last week. The "Royal Club" voiced its terms, representatives of Beckham put forward reciprocal demands. Sources in Real Madrid emphasize that the negotiations were fruitful, but although they had just begun, the parties had serious disagreements.
Representatives of the English athlete are convinced that during the three years of Beckham’s game for Real Madrid, the club management could fully appreciate the potential of the football player, and are determined to keep him with a net annual income of 4 million pounds, and also leave Beckham most of the rights to his image - Now, half of the deductions for their use is received by Real. However, the Spanish club is ready to pay him no more than other "galaxies". Sports director Predrag Miyatovic hinted that he would even like to reduce this figure.
“I met with his agent - there is a desire to extend the contract,” Miyatovich said. But when he was asked a question, is there any way to increase the salary of a football player, he gave a sharp answer: “Who said that we will pay more? Perhaps we will pay less. " Beckham strongly disagrees with this. He is ready to sit without a new contract until January, when he can negotiate with other clubs. He wants to conclude a deal on his terms - or not to conclude it at all. But Beckham’s representatives are concerned not so much with the content of Miyatovich’s comments as with the fact that he did them at all - Real Madrid has a tough policy in public.
The management of the Spanish club, in all likelihood, believes that Beckham, who is 31 years old, can compromise in the light of his current situation. He remained on the bench for the last four matches, coach Fabio Capello chose Antonio Reyes and Raul. The Italian coach also admitted that he would like to put the player with the working left foot on the right flank, and even Calderon says: "I think he is a good guy and would like to renew the contract with him if the coaches agree." Beckham on the bench - it makes one doubt that the coaches consider him a valuable player.
The player believes that he has a choice, but a return to the Premier League seems unlikely given the fact that the former captain of the English national team does not agree to play for anyone other than Manchester United. If the contract with Real Madrid is not signed, Beckham is very likely to go to the United States.
© The Daily Telegraph, UK, 2006
LED LOW / MADRID