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David Beckham admits his final season at Real Madrid has probably been the toughest of his professional career.

Beckham has had to deal with plenty of ups and downs since breaking onto the scene at Manchester United some 15 years ago, but the last 12 months have proved a real test of character for the 32-year-old.

"It has been possibly the toughest season and the most difficult season of my career, on and off the field," said Beckham at a press conference in Madrid.

"It was difficult after World Cup '98, but I think this season I have gone through things that I never thought were possible and it has been difficult," said Beckham, who came under tremendous criticism after England's exit at the 1998 World Cup following his red card against Argentina in the second round.

This season's trials and tribulations can be traced back to last summer when an emotional Beckham announced his decision to relinquish the England captaincy after the 2006 World Cup.

That was followed by new national coach Steve McClaren omitting Beckham from his first squad, beginning a nine-month international exile for the former skipper that was only recently ended.

It was to get worse for Beckham though, as at club level he also lost his starting place at Real Madrid, with new coach Fabio Capello opting to leave the midfielder on the bench for much of the first half of the campaign.

While that was happening, there was the ongoing furore about Beckham's contract at Madrid, which was due to run out at the end of the current term.

With speculation mounting about whether he would stay or go, Beckham finally declared in January that in the summer he would be leaving Spain after four years to join Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy.

The worldwide response to that was largely one of surprise, with many feeling Beckham should continue playing at the highest level in Europe for a few more years.

However, the response from Capello was much more painful for Beckham, with the Italian coach dropping the midfielder and announcing he would never play for the team again.

Beckham fought his way back into the reckoning at Madrid though, and all looked to be rosy again as he scored a crucial free-kick on his first game back against Real Sociedad.

But a red card against Real Betis in the following match saw him pick up a ban, and then on his return from suspension he suffered a knee injury in March's home match against Getafe.

That not only ruled him out of action for six weeks, but it also scuppered any chance of a possible England recall for that month's Euro 2008 qualifying double-header against Israel and Andorra.

Beckham admits when times were at their toughest he was thankful for the support he received from the people around him.

"I've had a lot of friends, not just my family, not just my English friends but I've had a lot of other friends who have given me so much support while I've been at Real Madrid, and especially this season," he said.

"Being at Real Madrid has always been an amazing honour, everybody knows how I feel about playing for this club, and playing in that white shirt.

"I'm sad to be leaving, I did not expect to be leaving, but everybody knows what has happened in the last six months for me.

"As I said before, it is the most difficult time in my career - not being involved in training, not being involved in matches, and certain things that were being said about me that were not true."

However, Beckham came back from that knee injury better than ever, and his scintillating form over the last few months has not only helped put Madrid within touching distance of the Primera Liga title, but it also saw him recalled to the England fold.

Now, the United States-bound midfielder is determined to end a turbulent year on a high note - by helping Madrid beat Mallorca at the Bernabeu on Sunday to win the league title.

"I haven't won anything in four years (at Madrid) and hopefully I can change that on Sunday," said Beckham.

"My best memory so far was signing for Real Madrid, I'm hoping that will change on Sunday, when my memories here will be taken to another level by winning something.

"I hope to reward the fans with a trophy."

Beckham has been struggling with an ankle injury he picked up on England duty last week, and he was unable to train alongside his Madrid team-mates for the first two sessions of this week on Tuesday and yesterday.

But the signs were more positive today as he jogged around the pitch at the club's Valdebebas training ground alongside fitness coach Jose Luis San Martin ahead of Sunday's crunch clash.