Tearful Beckham lifts Spanish title in perfect Real send-off

As a much-admired midfielder with a precious La Liga medal to show for his considerable, often courageous, efforts.

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If this was the hardest season of a long and eventful career, it ended on a spectacular high and it ended as only it could for a former England captain who now heads for Hollywood.

Who else, after all, would be able to name Tom Cruise among their guests for what turned out to be an extraordinary climax to the Spanish title race?

What happened at the Santiago Bernabeu certainly would have convinced one American that 'soccer' is a sport worth watching. That it can produce the kind of drama Cruise has spent a career trying to reproduce on the silver screen.

It was mesmerising.

An early goal for Real Mallorca's Fernando Varela was followed by an early exit for injured Ruud van Nistelrooy and news that Barcelona were scoring for fun left Beckham to reflect on a depressing denouement.

Then Beckham limped off to an ovation with a recurrence of the ankle injury he suffered during that European Championship match in Estonia and, for once, coach Fabio Capello was right to have him on the bench.

This time his team-mates completed the remarkable comeback, with two goals coming from the player who replaced Beckham - Jose Antonio Reyes - and the other from Mahamadou Diarra.

Three goals that brought an ecstatic Bernabeu to its feet and sparked victory celebrations as glitzy and glamorous as the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.

While his wife, Victoria, applauded from the stands with a Hollywood hearthrob at her side, the Cruz who means most to her husband was on the pitch to share the moment.

As Beckham took his bow with the flag of St George draped across his shoulders, his three sons - Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz - stood proudly at his side. Roberto Carlos followed Beckham in receiving the applause - it was also the brilliant Brazilian's last game for the club - but that would not have made this any less satisfying for a 32-year-old Englishman who refuses to quit, who takes the hits and somehow bounces back, time and time again.

His critics have often been forced to recognise his remarkable resilience but never have they been so high profile.

An England boss, a much- decorated coach of Real Madrid and a club president as well.

While Steve McClaren was smart enough to avoid calling time on Beckham's international career, Fabio Capello and Ramon Calderon were less prudent. Capello greeted news of Beckham's agreement to join LA Galaxy by declaring that the last galactico would never play for Madrid again, while Calderon ridiculed him by saying he was about to become 'a half-baked actor living in Hollywood'.

Last night there was nothing half-baked about his display or the sendoff he received from an adoring public. The Madridistas recognise how their team's late but triumphant surge to the title coincided with Capello's decision to recall the Englishman and they will love him forever as a result.

'The Bernabeu will always be your home,' said one of the many banners on display.

It will always be his home because rarely has a title been accepted with so much joy. Four years without a trophy is not something this club are accustomed to and reports that up to a million people would join their heroes at the Cibeles Fountain, in what has long been a traditional celebration, came as no surprise.

In a period when the title has been shared by Barcelona and Valencia, Madrid have been a club in turmoil.

Many of the great players have left in a spell that saw five coaches come and go before the hugely successful Capello took charge.

Only off the field did Madrid flourish in this difficult period and they owe that to Beckham. He might have cost the best part of £50million in his transfer fee and wages but he has raised more than £300m in marketing revenue.

No wonder his employers in the U.S. were so keen to sign him while Calderon finally realised the value of trying to keep Beckham.

He leaves for the U.S. with the seventh league title and no regrets. Kaka might be joining Real if reports of a £54m bid are true but Beckham has the Spanish silverware he was so desperate to add to the trophies he accumulated at Manchester United.

'David please stay,' sang fans as he tearfully kissed the centre spot.