There is much in the british media this morning about David Beckham and Real Madrid, it seems all the pundits and columnists have taken out their crystal balls and dusted them off, but before I get to posting all the links, I just wanted to take a moment to think about those close to David Beckham. His Mum, his Dad, his Wife, his advisers, His Mother and Father in-law, all the people who have the stress and strain of hoping to give him the very best advice possible and of Becks who must make a decision. I know what I would say to David Beckham but it is easy for me, I don't have the responsibility that comes with having an opinion that matters.

I would tell David Beckham to forget the media, they will never be satisfied. I would tell him to forget the dissenters, those who accuse him of being more style than substance, they can't see beyond their own envy. I would suggest that he not be influenced by those he wants to prove wrong, he has proven enough. I would tell him to go for happiness, to make the decision that will bring him the most joy, to think only of himself and his family. He has fought back from being a scape-goat by turning the tide of disproportionate mass-hysteria channeled against him after World Cup '98. He has had a brilliant career so far, no matter how some will attempt to revise history and a career where at every step he has had to carry the extra weight of jealousy and un-deserved criticism, and he has borne it with an equanimity that is heroic. He has never bitched, nor moaned, he has never criticised, hit out or vented. He has carried himself with a dignity, that has done England great credit, in the eyes of the rest of the world.

So let us all say a small prayer today for all of the people close to David Beckham and for Becks himself because this will be a stress-ful time, let's hope that the very best advice will or already has been given, the best decision reached and that Becks will be happy.