Beckham: Real find that one leg is shorter

David Beckham is frustrated to be missing games for Real Madrid when in the form of his life, but the medical staff at the Bernabeu Stadium think they have discovered the problem: his left leg is shorter than his right.

"One of my legs is shorter than the other," he confirmed. "I think it's a common problem but the difference in mine is a bit more unusual. I didn't know about it until I signed for Real and it showed up in the medical. I have tried to wear insoles to help but I can't wear anything in my boots.

"That's the problem [now]. I don't like wearing anything padded because I only want to feel the boot against my foot and nothing else, especially when I'm taking free-kicks."

The Real Madrid midfielder has missed eight games in all competitions this season. His ankle injury is the latest in a series of minor injuries. "It's very frustrating, especially as I think this is the best season I've had in my career, performance-wise," he said. "I had some good seasons at United but I've been more consistent since I came here."