During his time in Spain, David Beckham gave a huge boost to Real Madrid’s global profile, consolidating its image not only as one of the world’s most important football teams, but one of its biggest brands.

As a player, Beckham performed reasonably well during his five years at the club, ending on a high this season when he helped the team to win its first Spanish league title in four years. But his true value was reflected on the team’s balance sheet.

José Angel Sánchez, Real’s director of marketing, has said that Beckham, who cost the club £25 million, has been worth more than £300 million in marketing revenue to the club. When Mr Sánchez heard how much Manchester United was asking for Beckham, he reportedly told Real’s president: “They’re asking peanuts!” He sold shirts, of course: more than one million Beckham shirts were sold in his first six months at Real Madrid. In the two years after Beckham joined the club, sales of merchandising rose more than 60 per cent to £36 million.

Beckham’s arrival helped the cash-strapped club to turn around its fortunes. He bought in the wealthiest commercial endorsements for the team from the likes of Audi, adidas and Siemens. In the two years after Beckham joined, Real Madrid’s annual sponsorship and advertising income rose by 137 per cent to £30 million. “The Beckham Effect” helped Real to overtake United last year as the biggest earner in world football.

Beckham has always understood the value of his own “star power”, but he has always insisted that it should not overshadow his football. “People talk about selling shirts, but I’m here to play football,” he often said.

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