Beckham's goal is for Real success to silence critics

David Beckham is determined to defy his critics and help his club side back to winning ways this season.

David Beckham is determined to defy his critics and help his club side back to winning ways this season.

The Real Madrid midfielder's first season in the Spanish capital was not an unqualified success with Real failing to win any significant trophies.

Although he started the campaign well, Real fell apart in the closing weeks and Beckham was under fire from critics at home and abroad. Now, after a Euro 2004 marked by two penalty misses for England, he is back with Madrid and planning for his second season at the Bernabeu. However, he will miss training over the next few days due to a sprained right ankle, Alfonso del Corral, the team doctor, said yesterday. Beckham was injured in Tuesday's friendly with a youth team from the southern city of Jerez de la Frontera, where Madrid are holding their pre-season training.

"Beckham is suffering a slight sprained ankle," explained del Corral. "We've decided not to force it and we've given him a bit of a rest." Some of Beckham's critics believe his high-profile lifestyle sometimes overshadows his achievements on the pitch and Beckham said: "I have learned to live with all the attention over the last 10 years as has my family. To win the Primera Liga is a key mission for Madrid as is the Champions' League."

The former Manchester United player remains determined to defy his detractors. "Some people have said that there were not good moments and to send those remarks back where they came from is a goal for me," he said.Last year Beckham seemed to be unsettled at times and frequently returned to England to see his wife and children, but the England captain said: "I am totally adapted to Madrid. When I arrived I knew that adapting would be a barrier, but I integrated myself as I needed to."

With Real's Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz having been replaced by Jose Antonio Camacho, Beckham can no longer talk to his manager in English and he said: "At the moment I can understand some things although it is quite difficult." He added that he is determined to master the Spanish language: "After winning all the possible trophies and the fans being happy with my work, if I have managed to conquer the language that will be an achievement."

However, Beckham made it clear that he had a good relationship with the Spanish coach and said: "The team is training well and we are in the hands of a good coach. The players like Camacho a lot and it is good to be back with my team-mates."