David Beckham (left) is currently negotiating a two-year contract extension with Real Madrid, but the Englishman might want to consider leaving Spain and exploring his options. (Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Analysis: John F. Molinaro
Beckham's Spanish dilemna
Last Updated Friday, Oct. 20, 2006
by John F. Molinaro
At 31 years old, David Beckham has reached the crossroads of his soccer career.
Out of contract at the end of the 2006-07 season, the stylish midfielder is reportedly close to signing a two-year extension with Real Madrid - a move that would likely see him finish his career in Spain - but he would be wise to take a hard look at his future before inking a new deal.
Beckham's sojourn in la liga - the Spanish first division - has been neither a raving success nor a spectacular failure. To be sure, he has shown occasional flashes of brilliance since joining Real in 2003, but he hasn't been the dominant figure he once was at Manchester United, either.
Beckham helped United win countless titles and become one of the top teams in world soccer during his 10-year tenure with the club. Success in Spain has been much harder to come by.
Real has not won a single league title, Copa del Rey (the Spanish equivalent of the FA Cup) or a Champions League crown since Beckham joined the club, the first time in 50 years the team has gone three seasons without picking up a major trophy.
What's more, Real has been eliminated in the second round of the Champions League for two straight seasons, a disastrous state of affairs for a team that has won the tournament a record nine times.
Real has struggled again this season with the majority of the squad's world-class stars looking lethargic. And while Beckham has by no means been Real's worse player, he's contributed very little - that is, when he has even managed to play at all.
Last weekend Beckham started his first game for Real in a month, a disappointing 1-0 loss to modest Getafe, and even then he was substituted in the 67th minute.
Thus far Real has played nine games (in both Spain and the Champions League) and Beckham has lasted the full duration only once. Seven other times he was substituted or came on as a substitute - hardly a record befitting a player who is accustomed to a staring role.
A regular starter his entire career, Beckham has been forced to sit on the bench while the younger and quicker Jose Antonio Reyes has impressed on the right side of midfield, the territory that was once thought to be the exclusive domain of the Englishman.
Beckham's demotion to the bench comes on the heels of his less-than-impressive showing at the World Cup. After England crashed out in the quarter-finals, he announced he was stepping down as team captain but that he would still make himself available if called upon by new manager Steve McLaren.
England has played four Euro 2008 qualifying games since Beckham stepped down but McLaren hasn't recalled him for national duty once, a further sign that his best days are behind him.
All of which has not escaped the attention of Fabio Capello, the Italian disciplinarian who was installed as Real's new coach at the start of this season.
Capello has proven over the years he has no time for marquee players who are not performing. For Capello, reputations and egos mean little.
A case in point: two seasons ago, while coaching Italian league giants Juventus, Capello substituted Alessandro Del Piero a remarkable 27 times. It mattered little to Capello that Del Piero was the most beloved Juventus player in history and a club icon. Capello made it publicly clear that he considered Del Piero just another player and not someone who automatically deserved to be a starter.
Beckham is in the exact same position that Del Piero found himself in and the only way he can make Capello change his mind is if he can reproduce the sparking performances that were his trademark with United - not likely considering his recent form and age.
Beckham's best bet would be to create a market for his services - he would be free to negotiate with other clubs in January if he failed to agree a new contract with Real- and revitalize his stagnant career by joining a new club.
A player of his experience could still be a valuable asset to a team such as Italian outfit Inter Milan, German league champions Bayern Munich or French giants Olympique Lyon.
If the most famous athlete on the planet suddenly became available, top clubs from across Europe would line up for the chance to sign him, even if he has lost a step.
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