Put Your Shirt On Beckham

Apart from his occasional run-ins with Spanish referees, David Beckham is having a pretty good season – especially at Real Madrid, where his exceptional crossing ability and general distribution have made a major contribution to his side’s challenge in La Liga.

And since David’s no mug, that makes it a good time to ask for a bit of a rise so that he can continue to live in the style to which all of us would like to become accustomed.

According to reports, he’s asking for about £750,000 a week. Every week. Just think of it. The public outcry. All those people verging upon apoplexy at the thought of a young man being paid an absolute fortune for kicking a ball around (and occasionally heading it as well). It’s obscene. It’s a joke. A farce.

Actually, it’s none of the above. David Beckham is perfectly serious and he knows his worth to the club. What’s more, they know that he knows.

To understand all this, you have to appreciate that as far as Real Madrid are concerned, David Beckham is not just a very good footballer. Ask them how many Beckham shirts they’ve shifted since he signed for them. Ask them how much they get paid when they tour abroad with Beckham in the side. And how much less they are quoted if he isn’t. Add that lot up and you begin to realise that even at a staggering £750, 000 a week, Beckham represents very good value.

£750,000 a week. Not bad for a shirt salesman.