Beckham believes Real will win Spanish league

David Beckham predicted Thursday that his former club Real Madrid will win La Liga this season during an interview with Spanish television where he also praised Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho.

“As much as I respect Barcelona and think it?s a great club, my heart is always with Real Madrid,” the former England captain told Antena 3 in Los Angeles where he currently plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

“I think this year, with the manager (chairman) they have, Florentino Perez, I love Florentino. He is such a great man. He makes special things happen at the club. With him there and the players that they?ve got, I believe they will be number one this year.”

Perez, a construction magnate who is one of Spain’s richest men, was sworn in for another stint as president of Real Madrid in June 2009.

Under his previous term at Real between 2000 and 2006 he signed top players like Beckham and France’s Zinedine Zidane which helped the club win the league title twice and also the Champions League.

He has repeated his policy of signing big names since his return, having recruited Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil’s Kaka as well as Mourinho who joined Real in May.

“As a manager, I love Mourinho. As a person he is incredible. He was one of the first people to send me a message after my injury. He?s an amazing man and such a talent,” said Beckham.

The 35-year-old tore his left Achilles tendon while on loan in March with AC Milan. The injury sidelined him for six months and caused him to miss the 2010 World Cup in South Africa which was won by Spain.

Real are in first place in the Spanish league with 20 points after eight matches, with six wins and two draws, a point clear of Barca and Villarreal.