Tuesday, June 27 2006 18:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Madrid: Several of the top World Cup stars shining brightly in Germany face a difficult summer due to the situation at Real Madrid where presidential elections are scheduled for July 2.

All of the candidates are promising a major clean-out of an expensive, ageing squad which has won nothing in three years, possibly affecting the performances in Germany of the likes of Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, David Beckham and Raul Gonzalez.

Zinedine Zidane is the only one of the 'galacticos' not worried about the situation since he has already announced his retirement, partly due to the situation at Real.

The other big names of Real are all concerned about the elections, since their future at the club has been called into question by one or more of the candidates.

"The situation in Madrid is not pleasant," said Roberto Carlos from the Brazilian headquarters.

"I am just trying to concentrate on the World Cup. Then I'll return to Madrid and talk with the new president about my future at the club," he said.

Roberto Carlos has been linked with a move to Chelsea, while Ronaldo could be heading for a lucrative twilight in one of the Gulf leagues.

Juan Palacios and Juan Miguel Villar Mir, the leading candidates according to online polls, have both promised to sell off several ageing 'galacticos', as part of the process of rejuvenating the squad.

They are both interested in bringing in young Spaniards, like World Cup players Cesc Fabregas, Joaquin Sanchez and Jose Antonio Reyes.

Ramon Calderon and Lorenzo Sanz, two other candidates, have also vowed to move on the expensive veterans. The fifth candidate, Arturo Baldasano, has gone even further than the others, issuing a long list of unwanted players, which includes Roberto Carlos.

In addition, Baldasano said last week that he will 'sit down and talk' with Raul and Ronaldo, in order to perceive their attitude and commitment towards the club.

This comment has infuriated Raul, who was already nervous due to the ongoing debate in the Spanish media about whether he should be the automatic first-choice in the Spain side in Germany.

"I have been a Real Madrid player since 1994," said Raul, and club captain since 2003. It's obviously uncomfortable to have a candidate for president questioning my commitment to the club.

Fortunately for Raul, Baldasano is unlikely to win. But whoever does win, life will not be the same for the club's 'galacticos'. The halcyon days of massive salaries and plenty of time off for publicity work could be coming to an end.

Curiously, none of the candidates have hinted at showing David Beckham the door, though Baldasano said last week "we have to demand more of him on the field".

The England captain has become an unpopular figure with many Real fans, some of who identify his arrival in July 2003 with the start of the team's decline. All of the candidates, however, understand that Beckham is the club's big selling point internationally, particularly with regard to shirt sales in Asia.

Beckham has said on many occasions that he and his family are happy in Madrid and want to stay there for a few more years.

Several other players will not be given that option. Almost certainly on the way out, regardless of who wins the elections, are Antonio Cassano, Thomas Gravesen, the eternally injured Jonathan Woodgate, Ivan Helguera, Pablo García, Francisco Pavon, Carlos Diogo and Guti Hernandez.