Beckham has yet to win a major trophy with the Spanish giants since joining from Manchester United in 2003, but that could all change on Saturday with Madrid closing in on the league.

A victory for Madrid over Real Zaragoza, combined with defeats for rivals Barcelona and Sevilla in this weekend's penultimate round of fixtures, would see Fabio Capello's men crowned champions.

And according to Zidane, a championship medal would be a fitting send-off for Beckham before he leaves for America this summer.

"I don't know what is going to happen, but I think that Real Madrid could win the league," said the French legend, who spent five years at Madrid before retiring last summer.

"I would like that to happen for the club, that is clear, for the players, but above all for David Beckham.

"After four years in Madrid, he deserves to leave with a trophy."

Zidane has fond memories of the three seasons he spent playing next to Beckham with Madrid, even though it coincided with one of the least successful spells trophy-wise in the club's illustrious history.

"I am delighted to have played alongside Beckham in the same team," added the former World Cup winner and three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, who admits if he were in charge at the Bernabeu he would want the former England captain to remain with the club.

"Yes, without doubt. But now he has taken a decision and you have to respect that," he said in Spanish newspaper Marca.