Beckham’s Playing Days in Madrid Are Over
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
MADRID, Spain (AP) – David Beckham won’t play again for Real Madrid after announcing his departure at the end of the season for the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS.
“He is not going to play any more. He will practice, but he is not going to play,” coach Fabio Capello said Saturday at a news conference.
Beckham announced this week he will not extend his contract with Real Madrid when it expires in June and is instead leaving for the Galaxy and a five-year deal.
“The player’s decision is to go to Los Angeles. He has always been a great professional, but a player who has such a major contract with another team … we cannot count on him,” Capello said. “I think one cannot have the same drive if one is already with another team.”
Beckham joined Madrid from Manchester United in 2003.
