貝克漢姆離開“銀河戰艦”進入倒計時，皇馬經理米賈托維奇宣布貝克漢姆將不會與球隊續約，他將離開皇馬。這事，看起來是個天大的誤會了！北京時間1月11日凌晨，據路透社西班牙馬德里最新消息，本周三早些時候，意大利天空電視臺報道了米賈托維奇在接受電話采訪時明確表示：“貝克漢姆將離開我們。我們不會與他續約。” 不過，經查證，米賈托維奇的話被曲解了。現在，小貝與皇馬的續約談判仍在進行中，在未來2天就能給球迷一個確切的答案了。

Real Madrid soccer star David Beckham waves to fans during a promotional event in Tokyo in this Friday, Dec. 29, 2006 file photo. Beckham may be on the way out at Real Madrid, according to comments made by the club's sports director Predrag Mijatovic on Wednesday Jan. 10, 2007. [AP]

MADRID, Spain - David Beckham is negotiating with Real Madrid about a new contract.

Beckham's spokesman Simon Oliveira said Wednesday talks would resume this week. He spoke shortly after comments by Madrid sports director Predrag Mijatovic led to confusion over the 31-year-oldmidfielder's future.

"There's still a written offer on the table from Real Madrid," Oliveira told The Associated Press. "We have a meeting in the next 48 hours."

Mijatovic's remarks to Italian TV station Sky TG 24 led to doubt whether Madrid's decision was final or whether talks were still alive.

Some news media quoted Mijatovic as saying, "Beckham will leave us, we will notrenew his contract." However, that did not reflect the exact words broadcast in the Italian interview and translated by the AP.

The interviewer asked: "Will Beckham's contract be renewed?"

Mijatovic replied: "No, Beckham's contract was not renewed."

Madrid said it wasn't aware of Mijatovic's remarks, while the sports director said his words had beenmistranslated.

Beckham's four-year contract expires at the end of this season. The club wants the former England captain to decide by next week whether he will accept a two-year extension.

Adding to speculation about his future, Beckham was left off Madrid's squad to play a Copa del Rey match against Real Betis on Thursday.

Capello was expected to make changes following a dismal run in which Madrid has lost three of its last four games.

But Beckham's omission for Thursday's game appears to support reports that Capello has asked the club not to renew the Englishman's contract. Capello reportedly views Beckham as the third choice for the right-side midfield slot behind captain Raul Gonzalez and Jose Antonio Reyes.

Oliveira recently said Madrid's offer was slightly higher than Beckham's current contract. He said Beckham was taking his time because it was "the last significant deal of his football career."

Beckham is allowed to negotiate with other clubs during the January transfer window and can leave with Madrid's permission.

（Agencies）

Vocabulary:

midfielder： 中場隊員

renew his contract：extend contract（續約）

mistranslate：誤譯

（英語點津陳蓓編輯）