Beckham back after masterclass in dignity

LONDON, May 26 (Reuters) David Beckham has delivered another soccer masterclass but instead of his ball skills it has been his dignified response to rejection by club and country that has earned the 32-year-old the plaudits this season.

Last August Beckham found himself the victim of new England manager Steve McClaren's bid to stamp his authority on the job when he was deemed surplus to requirements after 10 years as an indispensable member of the national team.

The Real Madrid midfielder had already given up the captaincy in a tearful sign-off from England's disappointing 2006 World Cup campaign but must have expected it would not be long before he reached the magical 100 cap mark.

When McClaren decided otherwise, however, Beckham took it on the chin. There were no harsh words, no vitriolic closing of the door as instead he vowed to keep working hard.

Whenever asked about the issue Beckham said repeatedly that playing for England had been the highlight of his career and he would always remain available for his country.

McClaren said it was not necessarily a final decision but it certainly looked as if Beckham's 94th cap - the penalty shootout defeat by Portugal in the World Cup quarter-finals - would be his last.

TWILIGHT ZONE His career seemed to be easing into a more comfortable twilight zone when in January Beckham announced he would move to LA Galaxy at the end of the season in a five-year deal worth an eye-watering 250 million dollars.

Real coach Fabio Capello responded to the news by vowing Beckham would not play for the club again.

The midfielder again responded in the right way and after a month Capello was forced to eat his words having been impressed by the player's continued professionalism.

''It was down to Beckham's hard work and attitude,'' Capello said after recalling him in February. ''The intelligent thing to do is to correct things when mistakes are made.'' So Beckham, whose presence had failed to end Real's major trophy drought, was given a fanfare return in a rare ray of light amid their domestic and European struggles.

Suspension and injury took the momentum off his comeback but once he was fully fit in April he began to make a major impact on Real's charge up the table.

Initially as a substitute and then from the starting lineup, Beckham became a provider of key goals and now, with three weeks remaining, he looks the freshest player in the league as Real are well placed to win the title for the first time since 2003.

Capello has certainly been convinced and when the speculation developed that Beckham might be in line for an international recall, he made it clear where he stood.

''I can't understand how a player who is playing so well can be left out of any national side,'' the Italian said on Friday.

''I told David the other day that I thought he has never been in such good form either mentally or physically and he agreed with me.'' A day later McClaren followed the Italian's lead by swallowing his pride and announcing the inclusion of Beckham in his squad for next week's friendly with Brazil and the Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia on June 6.

''He has been a real professional throughout. He's coming into form and deserved to be in,'' McClaren said.

REUTERS SLD BST2207