The Spanish press have started to turn on Beckham, declaring that his shirt sales and marketing potential are the only reasons that he is still in the side.
"It doesn’t worry me as people were saying I am here to sell shirts before I arrived in Madrid. I personally don’t believe I am. I enjoy my football here in Spain and I believe if I’m playing well I will get in the team. My fitness is not up to what it used to be but that is from being out for so long. It’s up to me to work hard in games and in training to get my fitness back."
Leading Spanish sports paper AS said: "Beckham disappeared in combat, was no help in defence and did not make one of the crosses that have made him famous."
Barcelona are now seven points clear after goals from Ronaldinho, Deco, Xavi and Samuel Eto’o.