David Beckham has recalled the moment that he was told by Fabio Capello that he would never play for Real Madrid again.
The former England captain had made 124 appearances for Los Blancos by the time he entered his fourth season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Things started to sour for Beckham after Capello returned to the club for his second spell as manager in 2006.
Capello did not like the 'Galacticos' culture at Real Madrid, and was often criticised for not playing Beckham due to the England star's contract situation, as well as Brazilian superstar Ronaldo over his fitness issues.
As revealed in the 'Beckham' Netflix documentary, Capello said 'The Galacticos are players from another universe.
'They arrive from the stars to a club, which is great motivation for the opponents to beat them. So I had to fix that.'
Ronaldo recalled Capello 'having a firm hand,' while Beckham said: 'He was like a tough, strict manager, which I loved. He made me nervous and I don’t get nervous.’
However, concerns over his future at the club started to spring up when Capello started dropping him from the starting XI.
Beckham said: 'He benched both of us. It killed me. At that point I wasn’t sure of my future at Real Madrid.’
His situation attracted the interest of MLS side LA Galaxy, which led to Capello leaving Beckham out of the squad.
Beckham said: 'On Monday morning, Capello called me into his office and said 'I heard you're talking to other clubs, you will never play for Real Madrid again'. Obviously at that point I was very upset.'
Having made 30 starts in LaLiga during the 2015-16 season, he made just 14 in the following campaign under Capello.
After playing a bit-part role at Real in the first half of the season, Beckham announced in January 2007 that he would be leaving the club to sign a five-year deal with LA Galaxy.
Despite this, he remained professional in training as he wanted to 'prove a point' to Capello.
Former team-mate Roberto Carlos revealed that the team spoke Capello and 'pleaded for him to let David back'.
Capello reversed his decision to sideline Beckham, citing the player’s professional attitude in training as the reason for his U-turn.
The Italian said on Beckham's documentary: ‘David was always on time for training and kept working very hard. It was quite a surprise for me.’
‘I went to the president and said: ‘From tomorrow, I will let David play. If we lose, you can send me away.’
'But it was impossible for Barcelona to lose that lead [in the title race].’
Beckham would go on to play in seven of Real Madrid's final eight games that season, as they pipped Barcelona to the title thanks to a better head-to-head record.
He would eventually reunite with Capello when the Italian was later appointed as England manager.
ONLY_ONE_REAL
0
Beckham who ask you all these things u dey talk this passed few days
darrenham
1
Is 2005-2006? Not 2015-2016😂🤣
Shevy7
0
So he played for Madrid in 2015/16 and then 2007, Time travel is real, guys.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
sen10r
3
So he played for Madrid in 2015/16 and then 2007, Time travel is real, guys.
Dedackpryz
0
you dey smoke igbo u dey take indiahemp 😂😂😂
😂😂😂
Wubblnops
1
we real Madrid fans don't even need him
Stickle
3
Beckham chose to leave Europe to be apart of an irrelevant clown league. His words no longer matters!
OdumuyiwaItuni
0
From making 30 starts in 2015/16 season to leaving in 2007 I read the article shaa
you dey smoke igbo u dey take indiahemp 😂😂😂
Litso
0
From making 30 starts in 2015/16 season to leaving in 2007 I read the article shaa
I think they meant 2005-2006
29082989(deleted)
1
Lool overrated
fenbciloy
0
I wonder wooo Becks played 2015-2016 season 🤣🤣🤣
Ya. it's a mistake. Maybe the ment to write 2005 - 2006
OliverKings
6
From making 30 starts in 2015/16 season to leaving in 2007 I read the article shaa
LSTONE
3
Madrid fans we will never forget the Era of true Galactico, Beckham is a play I will never forget for his precision is pass with long ball.
Tihcdmnrtu
1
Beckham had 30 starts in LaLiga in 2015-2016 season. OK
I wonder wooo Becks played 2015-2016 season 🤣🤣🤣
crabhi
5
Beckham had 30 starts in LaLiga in 2015-2016 season. OK