Beck for Real and Real for Beck: A twain for all seasons

Beckham said his performances have proven that he did not go to Madrid for commercial reasons. “I think the most important goal I scored was the first one because people were wary about me coming over here as a player and as a person — they thought I was here to sell shirts,” Beckham said.

“I think I have improved as a player and if I have done that I’ve succeeded in what I wanted to do. Football’s a challenge these days because every team you come up against is not easy, but I am enjoying the challenge. It was a hard thing to do, come from a club like Manchester United and carry on doing well and continue at a Manchester United level,” Beckham said.

Beckham said he could not resist the opportunity to play alongside Zinedine Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Raul Gonzalez. “To experience playing and being in the same team as these players is something that might not ever happen again — to have so many great players in one team,” he said.

“It’s like the Harlem Globetrotters because there are so many great players and showmen. I just wanted to be one of these stars and play in this team. They all are really nice people, down to earth and that’s the best thing about them, they are such great stars but they don’t act as if they are so, so special,” Beckham concluded.