| Beckham Close to Return
David Beckham returned to squad training with Real Madrid today for the first time since suffering a knee injury last month. However, he is not yet ready for a return to first-team action and will sit out tomorrow's La Liga fixture against Osasuna at the Bernabeu.Beckham has been sidelined since damaging the internal lateral ligament in his right knee against Getafe at the start of March.Having spent most of his time recovering in the gym, the former England captain has been able to step up his rehabilitation this week.On Tuesday he worked out under the guidance of Madrid's physical trainer Jose Luis San Martin at the club's Valdebebas training ground pitches, and this morning he was able train alongside his team-mates.Tomorrow's home match with Osasuna has come too soon for Beckham to return, but the 31-year-old looks on course to be involved in next weekend's trip to Racing Santander.The Primera Liga title is Madrid's last chance of silverware this season, and they are currently third in the table, five points behind leaders Barcelona with 10 games left to play.Beckham, who has failed to win a major honour with Madrid since joining the Spanish giants in 2003, will be leaving the club in the summer to take up a five-year contract MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy.(reopens)Real coach Fabio Capello said: "He (Beckham) is not ready.
Ban on use of skeletal fashion dummies
Spain has banned the use of skeletal fashion dummies in store windows after a ten-year-old boy was taken into state care because of his obesity. Media reports from Madrid said a groundbreaking deal between the health ministry and major retailers, such as Zara and Mango, will see size zero dummies become extinct. The new programme is designed to change the perception that its fashionable to be extra skinny an image some healthcare professionals believe can lead to eating disorders. At the end of last year, ultra-thin models were banned from the catwalks in Madrid and Milan and this year the Council of Fashion Designers of America announced guidelines to help models to eat and live healthily. While the Spanish Mediterranean-style diet is generally believed to be healthy, a spokesperson for the health ministry said the government was aiming for a model of healthy beauty.
Real Madrid target Ronaldo, Kaka, Metzelder
REAL Madrid will try to sign Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo and AC Milan midfielder Kaka for next season, club president Ramon Calderon said yesterday. "We really like him (Cristiano Ronaldo) but he belongs to Manchester United and they have to decide to sell him first," Calderon told Spanish television station Antena 3 in an interview, Reuters reported. "If that is the case then we'll be first in the queue, although we won't be paying 80 million euros (US$106.2 million) for him. "I don't think any player, even someone with Cristiano Ronaldo's quality, is worth that money, but we are definitely interested if Manchester United want to sell him." Ronaldo is in the midst of contract renewal talks with United, but Spanish media have reported that Real hope the Portugal international will reject a new deal and push for a move to Spain.
Spanish Bullfighter to Stage Comeback
MADRID, Spain (AP) -- He was one of Spain's top bullfighters but mysteriously withdrew from the ring at the peak of his career. Now he is back, electrifying the national pastime with plans to perform in a city where anti-bullfighting sentiment is strong. Jose Tomas, 31, slipped away in September 2002 without explanation. He never confirmed he was retiring and has hinted since then he might fight again. Now he will, on June 17 in Barcelona, the city where he served up some of his best fights against the snorting beasts of 1,100 pounds that make up the other half of the deadly minuet that is bullfighting. The announcement came Thursday from Tomas' manager, Salvador Boix, who said "starting today, Barcelona will be the center of the bullfighting world." "He is coming back because it is his profession, and I imagine he has not said everything he has to say," Boix told a news conference.
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