Beckham set up two Real goals, terrorised Barca down the right-hand side and even sprinted back to deny the visitors a certain goal with a brilliant block on Samuel Eto’o.

There was no other candidate for Lion of the Weekend after the England captain’s performance in one of Europe’s biggest club games.

"David showed he belongs with the best," said TheFA.com judge Russell Osman.

"A lot of people still talk about his performance for England against Greece which got us to the World Cup. This was another one from the top drawer.

"His delivery for Real’s second goal was pure Beckham and the long ball for Owen’s strike was what every striker loves. It was his all-round movement and workrate that caught the eye as well."

Real’s victory in el clasico means they are now only six points behind at the top of La Liga.

After Zinedine Zidane’s early goal, Beckham teed up Ronaldo with an arcing free-kick that the Brazilian headed in.

Barca then pulled the game back to 2-1 and Beckham made a terrific block in his own area on Eto’o to prevent the equaliser.

His 50-yard ball to Owen set up Real’s fourth goal after the interval and he came close to scoring himself with another marvellous long-range shot.

Three players are currently tied at the top of the leaderboard in the race for Lion of the Season - Wayne Rooney, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Stewart Downing.

He was too hot to handle and a deserving recipient of Lion of the Weekend.

Lion of the Season - Total nominations so far

Stewart Downing 3 (08 Nov, 18 Oct, 04 Oct)
Shaun Wright-Phillips 3 (25 Oct, 16 Aug, 22 Nov)
Michael Owen 3 (01 Nov, 30 Aug, 04 Apr)

John Terry 2 (29 Nov, 13 Dec)
Alan Smith 2 (23 Aug, 04 Jan)
Frank Lampard 2 (06 Dec, 17 Jan)
Wayne Rooney 2 (15 Nov, 31 Jan)
David James 2 (13 Sept, 07 Feb)
Jermain Defoe 2 (20 Dec, 14 Feb)
Rio Ferdinand 2 (11 Oct, 21 Feb)

Ashley Cole 1 (27 Sept)
Ledley King 1 (20 Sept)
Steven Gerrard 1 (06 Sept)

Darren Carter 1 (10 Jan)
Dean Ashton 1 (24 Jan)
Andy Johnson 1 (28 Feb)
Joe Cole 1 (06 Feb)
Kieron Dyer 1 (14 Mar)
Jamie Carragher 1 (21 Mar)
David Beckham 1 (11 Apr)

* Every Monday TheFA.com announces the outstanding England player from the weekend’s matches, selected with the help of a former England international.

Lion of the Weekend is chosen by five former England internationals: Alan Mullery, Russell Osman, Mick Mills, Malcolm Macdonald and Paul Parker.

The player with the most votes at the end of the season will be crowned "Lion of the Season".