Real coach: Beckham the hardest working player
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-24 10:03

Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has defended England captain David Beckham, describing him as the hardest working player at the Spanish club.

Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham. Sven-Goran Eriksson has insisted that he still regards Beckham as the natural choice to lead England into next year's World Cup finals. [AFP]

"He works more than any other player here and, what's more, he's playing out of position," Luxemburgo told Spanish sports daily AS on Wednesday. "He is prepared to sacrifice himself for the team."

Beckham, like several of his high profile 'Galactico' team mates at Real, has been subjected to heavy criticism in recent weeks following the team's poor form in the Primera Liga and their elimination from the Champions League.

The 29-year-old midfielder turned in some good performances when playing in his former position on the right at the start of the year but has been far less effective when he has been moved into the middle.

Sections of the Spanish press have said that the former Manchester United player no longer deserves his place in the starting line-up.

Beckham is currently with the England squad preparing for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland in Manchester.

Luxemburgo, who took charge at Real at the end of last year, said none of the Galacticos enjoyed special privileges at the club.

"He (Beckham) doesn't play because he sells shirts," he said. "People say that the Galacticos are untouchable and they want me to drop some of them, but I don't need to relegate anyone to the bench to show I'm in charge.

"Everyone respects me and if someone has to be left out they will be."

Real are 11 points behind arch-rivals Barcelona in the race for the Spanish league title with nine matches left.

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