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Beckham 'to quit playing in 2008' Beckham rejects retirement claim
(about 3 hours later)
David Beckham will quit football in two years' time after signing a final contract at Real Madrid, according to club president Ramon Calderon. David Beckham's spokesman has denied Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon's claim that he will quit in two years.
The 31-year-old former England captain has not been a regular this season but Calderon is confident he will extend his contract, which runs out next year. The 31-year-old former England captain is not a regular at The Bernabeu, but is currently discussing a new contract. Calderon told BBC Radio Five Live: "As far as I know he has decided to retire in two years' time."
Calderon told BBC Radio Five Live: "As far as I know he has decided to retire in two years' time. But a spokesman for Beckham said: "Talk of retirement is a complete surprise to us. No-one has ever discussed a retirement date."
"It would be fantastic if he would stay with us for the next two years."
Interview: Real Madrid president Ramon CalderonInterview: Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon
Calderon is hopeful Beckham will sign an extension to his current deal, which expires next year.
He said: "It would be fantastic if he would stay with us for the next two years."
Calderon insisted Real coach Fabio Capello is an admirer of Beckham, despite restricting him to the substitutes' bench in recent weeks.Calderon insisted Real coach Fabio Capello is an admirer of Beckham, despite restricting him to the substitutes' bench in recent weeks.
He said: "We need him. He's playing very well. The coach trusts him. We hope everything will be arrived at in the next 15 to 20 days to sign the new contract."He said: "We need him. He's playing very well. The coach trusts him. We hope everything will be arrived at in the next 15 to 20 days to sign the new contract."
  • Listen to the full interview on Five Live Sport after 1900 BST on Wednesday on BBC Radio Five Live and the BBC Sport website.
  • Calderon hinted that Beckham may even continue playing in America after leaving Madrid.
    He said: "I read somewhere that perhaps he's going to the States fora golden retirement. "I'm quite sure that nowadays a player at 34 or 35 can play easily. Especially him, who's a great professional, he's been training all his life.
    "He does things in the right way. I imagine that if he wants, when he leaves Real Madrid, he can be anywhere in the world - in the States perhaps, why not back in England?"
  • Listen to the full interview on Five Live Sport after 1900 BST on Wednesday on BBC Radio Five Live and the BBC Sport website.