David Beckham has backed the claims of Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas to win the Ballon D'Or as footballer of the year.

Although Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably favourite to claim France Football magazine's coveted award, Casillas also looks to have a solid case for taking over the mantle currently held by Brazilian ace Kaka.

Not only did Casillas help Madrid defend their Primera Liga title last season, but he also won the 'Zamora' award as the goalkeeper with the best goals-against average in the Spanish top flight, conceding just 32 in 36 league goals.

In addition to that, the 27-year-old then captained Spain to glory at Euro 2008 the summer, helping the Iberian nation end a 44-year long wait to win a major trophy.

Many at Madrid believe Casillas deserves to be the first goalkeeper since Russian legend Lev Yashin in 1963 to be win the Ballon D'Or, and Beckham is also of that mind.

"I hope so. He is hugely talented, is a great goalkeeper and a great person. And it would be good if a goalkeeper won it," said Beckham, who played alongside Casillas for four years at the Bernabeu, in Marca.

"We shall see what happens, but I hope that he wins the Ballon D'Or, he deserves it"

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