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Beckham learns star prices are down

David Beckham and his football club Real Madrid have entered negotiations about the star`s future at the Bernab?u last Tuesday. Although the talks are in their early stages, it has become clear that reaching an agreement will be a complex process. Beckham, 31, has started the last four games on the bench for Real and even lost his place on the national England team where he was captain. Beckham expects to keep his current multi-million salary, and even increase his share of royalties of merchandise sold by the team, of which he believes to be a largely responsible.

Real, however, might have a different opinion. When the club`s sporting director, Predrag Mijatovic, was asked about the star`s salary, he said: "Who said anything about paying him more? Maybe he will stay earning less." The star is also dealing with rumors of his retirement, started by Real`s president Ram?n Calder?n`s announcement that the player was set to retire in two years. Calder?n told the BBC: "As far as I know he`s decided to retire in two years."

Perhaps every star eventually sinks, and every football player no matter how great in the past sometime in his career is held in not quite such a high regard. Beckham might be learning this lesson these days. But perhaps he can adjust to a lesser salary and a role player status, although he might end up playing for the salary he wants at a league overseas, say the American MLS.