It146;s only practice for Beckham, says Capello

David Beckham won8217;t play again for Real Madrid after announcing his departure at the end of the season for the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS...

David Beckham won8217;t play again for Real Madrid after announcing his departure at the end of the season for the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS, coach Fabio Capello said Saturday.

8220;He is not going to play any more. He will practice, but he is not going to play,8221; Capello said at a news conference. Capello faced a difficult decision due to the size and importance of Beckham8217;s deal with the Galaxy.

8220;He is a great professional, but he already has a very important contract with another club,8221; Capello said, explaining the decision to allow Beckham to train with Madrid but not play.

Beckham announced Thursday that he will not extend his contract with Madrid when it expires in June and is instead leaving for Galaxy on a five-year deal that will reportedly be worth a total of US250 million euro194 million including endorsements. Madrid would not want to contemplate the consequences of a major injury to Beckham while he is still with the club. At the same time, fans at the Bernabeu are unlikely to be happy without a chance to bid one of their 8220;Galacticos8221; goodbye.

Capello looks unlikely to reverse the decision for Beckham not to play again. 8220;The player8217;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,8221; Capello said. 8220;We cannot count on him.8221;

Capello said he8217;d not spoken with Beckham since the former England captain announced his new deal. 8220;I think one cannot have the same drive if one is already with another team. But I repeat that he is a great professional,8221; Capello said. 8220;Now he must stay in good physical condition, but we cannot rely on him. I have never had even the smallest problem with Beckham. He has to decide what to do until the end of the season.8221;

On his part, Beckham insists his focus will be on the field and not towards Hollywood. 8220;I8217;m coming there not to be a superstar,8221; the 31-year-old Beckham said yesterday via satellite from Madrid.

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8220;I8217;m coming there to be part of the team, to work hard and to hopefully win things. With me, it8217;s about football. I8217;m coming there to make a difference. I8217;m coming there to play football.8221;

Reporters were not allowed to pose questions. Instead, a moderator did the asking. Dressed in a black suit with white shirt and black tie, Beckham said he hopes to work with American youngsters and keep them interested in soccer when they are finished with youth leagues.