Madrid want Beckham 'for life'!

Real Madrid's club president Ramon Calderon wants David Beckham to stay at the club 'for life'.

Beckham's future has been the subject of much speculation since he began to enjoy less and less playing time at the Bernabeau this season but Calderon says he is a big fan of the former England captain.

'Beckham is an exceptional player on and off the pitch,' Calderon told the club's website.

'I would like him to sign on for the rest of his career.'

Calderon praised Beckham's attitude in regards to the recent selection policy of new coach Fabio Cappello, who has persistently named Beckham as a substitute since his arrival in the summer.

Under former coaches Juan Ramon Lopez Caro and Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Beckham was a regular on the right-hand side of the Madrid midfield but he has found himself somewhat frozen out under the charge of the Italian.

And Calderon believes Beckham's attitude since the arrival of Cappello has been exemplary.

'He has never complained about being benched,' the Real president added.

'His charm and caring always shine through.'

Beckham will be free to leave Real at the end of the season as his contract expires this summer. The likely destinations for the 31-year-old would appear to be a Premiership club in England or the MLS in the United States.