Real Madrid seemed to be regretting losing David Beckham yesterday as reports emerged that the team were trying to keep the player from leaving for the United States.

The news came as Sir Richard Branson promised to let him fly free on Virgin Atlantic to continue his England career after moving to Los Angeles later this month.

Ramón Calderón Real Madrid’s president, said that he wanted to keep Beckham. Mr Calderón told the Spanish newspaper Marca: “I would be delighted if he remained at the club. There was a bit of anger by the premature announcement of his exit, but we are now going to make an effort for him to stay.” A Los Angeles Galaxy spokesman was unaware of the comments.

Beckham was told he had played his last game for Madrid by Fabio Capello, the coach, when he agreed to join the Major League side in January but he has been instrumental in their late season revival, with a victory over Real Mallorca next weekend now all that stands between them and the Primera Liga title.

Virgin kick-started the corporate rush to be endorsed by “Brand Beckham” when he arrives in the US in a move that could cost more than £700,000 over the coming year.

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