Former Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz has told England captain David Beckham his lack of fitness at Euro 2004 was his own fault. Beckham said he struggled in Portugal because Real's training regime was not up to Manchester United's standard.
"I am not surprised at Beckham's comments as he always had excuses, even at the last World Cup," said Queiroz.
"In the last three weeks of the season Luis Figo was at every session, Beckham was not. Who's in the Euro 2004 final?"
Queiroz, who was sacked as Real coach after the Spanish giants failed to win a major trophy last season, has rejoined Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant.
The Portuguese added: "You will have to look at those training sessions that David missed for one motive or another.
"Figo wasn't skiing while his team was still in the Champions League, and there's the difference."
Beckham claimed Real's lack of conditioning work meant he went into Euro 2004 far from at his peak fitness.
But Figo hit back at the 29-year-old, claiming he felt the Spanish side had done all the work they could while playing three games every week.
Beckham came under fire for his below-par performances in Portugal, missing two penalties as England crashed out in a shoot-out against the hosts.