Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has launched a blistering attack on David Beckham over his decision to join American side LA Galaxy.
Beckham, 31, has been told by Real boss Fabio Capello he will not play again before his contract runs out in July.
Calderon said: "He will be an average cinema actor living in Hollywood.
"The proof our technical team was right in not considering his continuity has been ratified because no one, with the player having been free, wanted him."
Calderon made the comments in a speech to university students that was aired by Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.
Real Madrid later issued a statement in which the club criticised Cadena Cope for broadcasting Calderon's remarks.
Calderon himself later apologised, but the damage to Beckham's now fragile relationship with Real may have been done.
"I want to apologise a thousand times"
As well as hitting out at Beckham, the Real president also said the club's players "all think they are superstars" and the fans "don't support the team, like in Italy and England".
Calderon later told Real Madrid television: "I want to apologise a thousand times to anyone that might have been offended.
"But I want people to know that everything I've done since I got here has been for the good of the club."
The former England captain announced last week that he had turned down a two-year extension with Real and signed a five-year, £128m deal with Galaxy.
That prompted Capello to announce that Beckham would not play for Real again, despite having six months left on his contract.
There were reports that the 31-year-old might ask to leave immediately, but his spokesman denied this and said Beckham's position would remain unchanged unless Real asked for talks.
Galaxy's general manager Alexi Lalas has already said the MLS club has no plans to take Beckham to the US before his Real deal ends.
He said: "Our position is unchanged with regards to David Beckham.
"We look forward to welcoming him in the summer and we respect his chance to honour his contract with Real Madrid. "All our plans are that we will welcome David here in the summer."