David Beckham will see out his contract at Real Madrid but could find his route back to the first team blocked, claims sporting director Predrag Mijatovic.
Beckham is set to join LA Galaxy in August and Mijatovic said: "He has six months left on his contract, wants to play but we have promising youngsters.
"I think they have an advantage because the future of Real Madrid is more important than players here for years."
Fernando Gago, Gonzalo Higuain and Miguel Torres have played recently.
"Beckham has to complete his contract - apart from that, the rest is up to the coach"
Coach Fabio Capello has softened on his original stance that Beckham would not play for the club again.
But the former England captain has missed the last four games - while Gago and Torres, both 20, plus 19-year-old Higuain have quickly become instrumental to Capello's plans.
Beckham, whose Real contract ends in July, has agreed a five-year contract with Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy.
It had been suggested that with Beckham now a peripheral figure at the club, he could be released early from the final months on his deal at Real.
But Mijatovic has made it clear that he expects Beckham to complete his contract.
"One thing is clear, he still has six months left on his contract," added Mijatovic.
"He has to complete his contract. Apart from that, the rest is up to the coach."
Meanwhile, Real say they are still unsure over the future of Brazilian striker Ronaldo - but are adamant they will not allow him to leave on a free transfer.
"We are dealing with this matter together with his advisers, and we have a situation in which we have some offers," said Mijatovic.
"We will see what is going to happen before the close of the transfer window.
"I want to make one thing very clear about granting the player a free transfer, something that has been talked about a lot over the last few days - Real Madrid cannot let Ronaldo leave for free."