Beckham: I can prove critics wrong

David Beckham has vowed to prove his critics wrong and show that he can still have an impact at the highest level.

Having been dropped by England and relegated to the substitutes bench at Real Madrid in recent times, Beckham’s star appears to be on the wane.

However, the 31-year-old midfielder still has total confidence in his ability, and plans to use his own experiences from Manchester United and those of his former Red Devils team-mate Ryan Giggs to get back to where he wants to be.

“I will work hard and try to prove people wrong,” he said on Monday. “It’s up to me to prove to people that I can do it, and I am confident I can.”

Beckham has been used mainly as a substitute this season under new Real coach Fabio Capello, and the former England captain has admitted it is a frustrating situation for him to be in.

However, being consigned to the sidelines is not a new experience for Beckham, who was also benched by former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson in his last season at Old Trafford.

“It was similar,” he admits. “I worked hard when that happened and I got back into the team. I missed out for the game against Real Madrid and the game against Arsenal, but after that and I got back into the team and we won the league.

“But this happens in footballers’ lives, it doesn’t matter who you are.

“If you look at Ryan Giggs. In my last years there, Giggs was being criticised and look at him now, he is one of the best players at the moment and in his best form with Manchester United.”

Capello has often preferred summer signing Jose Antonio Reyes and veteran forward Raul as his two wide players this season, with Brazilian Robinho also impressing on the wing in the past week.

That has meant Beckham’s game-time has been dramatically reduced in the campaign so far, but he has not been the only superstar warming the Real bench.

Antonio Cassano, the convalescing Ronaldo and, until recently, Robinho and Ivan Helguera, have all found starting spots hard to come by in Capello’s new-look Real side.

“At the moment I think that is difficult for every player,” Beckham acknowledged. “I think the manager would agree that if there are players who are not in the team, or on the bench, they are going to be unhappy.

“But I respect the manager’s decision, I have to play hard and work hard to get into the team, I understand that.

“But it’s the same for any footballer, I love playing football and I love being out there with the team, but these things happen in football.”

Beckham sat out Saturday’s 3-1 win at Gimnastic Tarragona after picking up an injury during last week’s Copa del Rey tie at Ecija.

However, the England midfielder was back in training on Monday, and could be available for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Steaua Bucharest.

Beckham’s rapid return to health had raised a few eyebrows, but the player insists his injury was 100% genuine.

“I had this last year. I had an injury, and because I did not play in one game two days later – and then three days later I was fit – my professionalism was questioned,” he said.

“When my professionalism is questioned this makes me laugh. I am an honest player. I hurt my knee playing against Ecija so I told the manager. I consider myself a professional from head to toe.

“I was fit to train today (Monday), I still have a problem with my knee and wanted to train, and needed to train.

“I don’t really care if people think I am unprofessional, I have never have been (unprofessional) and I never will be.”

Beckham was also keen to set another rumour to rest.

He insists the recent comments he made praising the camaraderie he enjoyed at Manchester United does not mean he wants to return to his former club.

“It was something I said maybe two weeks ago, that of course I miss my friends at Manchester, and there are certain things I miss at Manchester, but I’ve moved on from there,” he said.

“I’ve always said I am happy in Madrid and I’ve always said that I’m happy with this team. I had wonderful years at Manchester United, many many great years, but that is over. I am a Real Madrid player and I am happy playing my football here.

“I said that I miss my friends and some of the players, but that is not me saying I want to go back to Manchester United.”