The Real Deal

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Football fans want to know: Why did Real Madrid pay a majestic $41 million for Manchester United star and England captain David Beckham? The Spanish club already has another magician in right midfield, Luis Figo, who produces more goals and assists than Beckham does and leads him in free-kick conversions, the English player's stock-in-trade. The answer came last week from Tokyo, where Beckham and his wife, Victoria, arrived to promote a brand of chocolate and a chain of beauty salons. Wherever they went, the couple was mobbed by fans wearing Beckham shirts and waving Beckham dolls. Staking out the player's hotel, Yusuke Ozaki, 24, sported a Manchester United shirt but had already switched allegiance. "Real Madrid is my favorite club," he beamed. Beckham's legions of Asian fans could bring Real millions in merchandising revenue. Figo may bend it better than Beckham, but when it comes to giving the bottom line some kick, the Englishman scores every time.