Here is yet another column about the David Beckham crossroads. Now that he’s out of favor with England and Real Madrid, pundits across Europe are pronouncing the soccer career of one the world’s most recognizable people as being just about over. Martin Samuel says Beckham is rapidly turning into a “ceremonial footballer,” which means that if he stays at Real Madrid, he will be a bit-part player at best who’ll be retained for marketing purposes only. Admittedly, he has not played well this season, nor did he shine at the World Cup (aside from his set pieces, of course), but Beckham has yet to be given his chance at the Bernabeu under Fabio Capello. It’s interesting that the British press is always quick to forecast his doom. They say he’s been on the downward spiral ever since leaving Manchester United, but did anyone notice that Beckham was just about the best player Real Madrid had last season? His 13 assists (and there could have been many more but for some woeful finishing from the likes of Robinho and Julio Baptista), was second only to Ronaldinho, and his work ethic, as ever, was fantastic. He didn’t become a bad soccer player just because he turned 31. So far, Capello hasn’t seen the need to change things: Robinho’s in flying form and Guti is playing surprisingly well in the creative spot just above Emerson and Mahamadou Diarra, but there is every reason to believe that if the Galacticos start running into scoring problems, the likes of Jose Reyes and Becks will get their chance. Guti has shown he’s subject to dramatic dips in form and God only knows why Capello feels the need to start with two holding midfielders. Beckham has shown resilience over the years, and he may yet surprise a few people if given the chance.