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

David Beckham says his move to Real Madrid has given him a 8220;new lease of life.8221; The England captain, who transferred from Manchest...

David Beckham says his move to Real Madrid has given him a 8220;new lease of life.8221; The England captain, who transferred from Manchester United last summer, said a shift from the right side of midfield to the center of the pitch has improved his game.

8220;That is what has helped me produce the performances, it8217;s helped me a lot,8221; Beckham said in Madrid. 8220;It means I have more of the ball and am involved in games. It has given me a new lease of life here 8212; in Manchester I played on the right, I8217;ve been given a new role in the game and it8217;s great to have that.8221;

Beckham said his performances have proven that he did not go to Madrid for commercial reasons. 8220;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 8212; they thought I was here to sell shirts,8221; Beckham said.

8220;I think I have improved as a player and if I have done that I8217;ve succeeded in what I wanted to do. Football8217;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,8221; Beckham said.

Beckham said he could not resist the opportunity to play alongside Zinedine Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Raul Gonzalez. 8220;To experience playing and being in the same team as these players is something that might not ever happen again 8212; to have so many great players in one team,8221; he said.

8220;It8217;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 that8217;s the best thing about them, they are such great stars but they don8217;t act as if they are so, so special,8221; Beckham concluded.