Figo defends Real teammate Beckham

Portuguese international Luis Figo has defended his Real Madrid teammate David Beckham against charges the England captain moved to the Spanish champions mostly to help market the club abroad.

"About Beckham they can say he came only for marketing and he responds with moments of unique magic on the pitch," he told Portuguese sports daily A Bola.

Beckham, whose changing hairstyles, clothes and marriage to a former Spice Girl generate as much attention as his football skills, made a 35 million euro transfer from Manchester United, his home for 13 years, to Real Madrid in July.

The controversial move to the Spanish club, which is packed with multi-millionaire superstars, was criticized by some at the time as intended primarily to help boost sales of Real Madrid merchandise, particularly in Asia where Beckham is especially popular.

Beckham's arrival raised questions about Figo's role as both players are midfielders, but his success in slotting into a more central role than the one he filled at Manchester United has given Figo free rein on the flank.