It was incredible finish, says Beckham
David Beckham brought the curtain down on his Real Madrid career on Sunday and described the team's Spanish title triumph as one of his greatest achievements.
Beckham, watched by wife Victoria and Hollywood pals Tom Cruise and the actor's wife Katie Holmes, admitted the championship win made up for some difficult times since he arrived in the Spanish capital in the summer of 2003, both on and off the pitch.
"I couldn't have dreamt it any better. It's been about winning the title for the last six months, and we've deserved it tonight," said Beckham, who left the pitch after 65 minutes on Sunday when Real were trailing 1-0 to Mallorca.
His replacement Juan Antonio Reyes then scored twice as Madrid battled back for a 3-1 win.
"It's been an incredible experience but all I remember now is the great things. Winning this tonight now puts to bed everything else."
"It's amazing to have my family here. They have been with me for four years in Spain. They've been through the ups and downs and they've felt the euphoria tonight."
"It meant the world to have everyone that supported me throughout my career: my whole family, my wife, my mum and dad, my sister and children. It's incredible," a delighted Beckham told Sky Sports.
Meanwhile, Real coach Fabio Capello admitted two mistakes in his handling of the former England captain.
"I was wrong about two things this season. Firstly, not renewing Beckham's contract. Secondly, keeping him apart from the team," admitted Capello, when asked whether he would have done anything different in the wake of Real winning a record 30th league title.
Capello had advised Real president Ramon Calderon last autumn that Beckham didn't figure in his long term plans and, with his contract coming to an end this season, Beckham started negotiations with American side LA Galaxy.
Beckham then stunned the world by announcing in January that he had signed a five-year deal, worth up to 250 million dollars, with the Major League Soccer side.
In return, Capello said Beckham would never play for Real again but injuries and public clamour forced the Italian to change his mind a month later.
The player then went on to play a crucial role in Real's run over the final stages of the season.
He even regained his England place.
"He was and still is a great player. Over the past two months he's regained all his physical condition and without a doubt is one of the best players I've ever coached," said Capello on Saturday.
Real finished on equal points with rivals Barcelona but won on a better head-to-head record, despite Barca thrashing Gimnastic Tarragona 5-1 on the final day of the season.