David Beckham was handed his competitive debut for Real Madrid this evening, against Real Mallorca in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup.
England T-shirts and flags were in evidence in the Estadi San Moix asholidaymakers on the island of Majorca took advantage of the opportunity to seeBeckham in action against the local favourites.
With the start of the Spanish League season barely a week away, tonight's gameafforded the England skipper a priceless opportunity to win over the critics whoare already condemning Real's decision to spend #25million to lure him fromManchester United during the summer.
After an encouraging four-match tour of Asia, the wheels came off the Beckhambandwagon against Valencia last weekend when the 28-year-old produced aperformance he believed `could hardly have been worse'.
However, it was not enough to prevent Beckham finding his name on astar-studded Real team-sheet tonight as new coach Carlos Queiroz selected hisstrongest possible side.
Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Raul and Roberto Carlos were amongBeckham's fellow `Galacticos' as Real looked to avenge two heavy defeats at thehands of Mallorca in their two-legged tussle with the Spanish Cup winners.
The home side boasted former Chelsea target Samuel Eto'o in their line-upalong with uncompromising veteran Miguel Angel Nadal, but all eyes were bound tobe on Beckham as he began the serious business of becoming a Real Madridlegend.