22 October 2023 , 14:57
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David Beckham could not overlook one former Real Madrid genius as the best player he has ever played with but proved Manchester United are always close to his heart with a touching tribute to a club great.
The former Old Trafford favourite's storied career saw him turn out for European giants Real Madrid, AC Milan and PSG after he departed England, as well as a spell in the MLS with the Los Angeles Galaxy. He bowed out from his illustrious spell with the Red Devils in 2003 after winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 1999.
Despite turning out alongside the likes of Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona, Wayne Rooney, Ronaldinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his playing days, it is clear that one player stood out head and shoulders above them all. Perhaps unsurprisingly, that honour goes to the legendary Zindedine Zidane, who he lined up alongside for three years in Madrid.
It is almost unfathomable that the 'Galacticos' team that they played in, featuring the superstars Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo and Ronaldo, failed to win any silverware. However, that does not seem to have put Beckham off, when it comes to appraising the greatness of his former teammate Zidane.
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Having shared a pitch with the iconic French midfielder from 2003 to 2006, he gained a better insight than anyone into the extent of the World Cup winner's talents. He admitted that the French international's ability outweighed that of anyone he played with at Old Trafford.
"The best player I've ever played with, apart from you, [was] Zidane," Beckham told Gary Neville on his 'The Overlap' YouTube show.
It is not the first time Beckham had revealed his admiration for the man he shared a dressing room with at Los Blancos. Posting a tribute to 'Zizou' in 2020, he said: "Very, very, lucky to have played against Zizou but one of the biggest moments in my career is lining up with him as a team mate."
David Beckham as a young boy with Bobby Charlton former Manchester United player (Collect)Showing that the Red Devils are never too far from his thoughts, he did save a special mention for the late Sir Bobby Charlton during his conversation with Neville, with his admiration for the Old Trafford and England great clear. He added: "He was my dad's hero, it's why my middle name's Robert. So I'd loved to have played with Sir Bobby."
Following the passing of the 1966 World Cup winner this week, Beckham paid a special tribute to Charlton on his Instagram page. Posting a picture of himself alongside the legendary European Cup victor, he thanked him for the unique influence he has had on his life and his later career with the club he supported as a boy.
The former England captain said: "Sir Bobby was the reason I had the opportunity to play for Manchester United. I will be forever grateful to a man I was named after, someone I looked up to and was a hero to many around the world not just in Manchester and our country where he won the World Cup in 1966.
"A true gentleman , family man and truly a national hero. Today isn’t just a sad day for Manchester United & England it’s a sad day for football and everything that Sir Bobby represented.. Our thoughts go out to Lady Norma , there daughters and grandchildren. Rest in Peace Sir Bobby."