Valencia dash Beckham dream of a hero's return

David Beckham's dream of landing a hefty haul of silverware with Real Madrid lies in tatters and he will return home empty-handed if he decides to quit Spain this summer.

The England captain's last hope of a major trophy this season was dashed by an impressive Valencia side last night as they clinched the Spanish League with a 2-0 victory here in Seville.

Valencia, who are in the UEFA Cup Final, were crowned champions after goals from Rodriguez

Vicente and Ruben Baraja. Second-placed Real had made their job easier after crashing to a 3-2 defeat at home to struggling Real Mallorca on Saturday.

Real have lost in the final of the King's Cup, been eliminated from the Champions League and blown an eight-point league lead. Victory over Mallorca in the Spanish Super Cup - equivalent to the FA Community Shield - will be scant recompense to Beckham, whose off-field problems suggest he will not be around when Real set about regaining their bruised pride.

He now has to decide if he should remain or bow to the wishes of wife Victoria and return to the bosom of his family and the welcoming arms of Chelsea in the knowledge that his short spell abroad would be seen as a failure.

The decision will be Beckham's. Club president Florentino Perez does not want to force out his latest-high profile signing with the club's elections looming while adidas, who renewed their contract with Real until 2012 largely because of Beckham's arrival, do not want to lose such a valuable marketing asset.

Fans are indifferent to rumours about his private life and appreciate his efforts on the pitch. Instead, they hold coach Carlos Queiroz culpable for the team's demise.