Expatica news

Beckham’s reign in Spain over as Real Madrid say adios

10 January 2007

MADRID — David Beckham’s reign in Spain was after Real Madrid bosses said on Wednesday his EUR 6 million contract will not be renewed.

In a shock  announcement on Italian television, the Spanish club’s director of football Pedja Mijatovic said the former England captain will not play beyond the end of the season.

After a run of poor results, the club had had enough of a series of under-performing, but hugely expensive stars like Beckham and the Brazilian Ronaldo, who is expected to be axed too.

It marks the end of a disappointing four years at the Spanish giants, when Beckham’s only real achievement was to bring marketing millions to the club.

Last year alone, he was thought to have signed a deal worth €40 million to the club.

The presence of Beckham helped make Real Madrid a world brand, but on the football field his only silverware was when the club won the lowly Spanish Super Cup.

Off the field, despite his faltering Spanish, Beckham was a popular figure among Spaniards who warmed to his glamour and good looks.

But Victoria Beckham did nothing to ingratiate herself  among the locals, who had never heard of the Spice Girls.

At first she angered them by repeatedly flying home to Britain and professing not to enjoy the life in the couple’s rented mansion in one of the most exclusive parts of Madrid.

The couple weathered the scandal of Beckham alleged dalliance with the former PR Rebecca Loos and finally, Victoria Beckham moved to Spain with the couple’s three children.

The future looks uncertain for Beckham, 31, who may expect offers from LA Galaxys in the U.S., or back in Britain may end up playing for Bolton.

[Copyright Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news