David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo shared the legendary number seven shirt at Manchester United.
It is a shirt number wrapped in prestige and heritage having been worn by the likes of George Best, Bryan Robson and Eric Cantona at Old Trafford.
The No.7 shirt was then passed on to David Beckham and then to Cristiano Ronaldo, and they both lived up to expectations and etched their names into the list of legendary United wingers.
Both Beckham and Ronaldo won countless trophies at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson and both played crucial roles in United’s Champions League success in 1999 and 2008.
Years later, Beckham now finds himself as the chairman of MLS side Inter Miami and Ronaldo is still going strong as a goalscorer for Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.
David Beckham has ultimate praise for Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United found themselves very busy in the summer of 2003. David Beckham was sold to Real Madrid and just weeks later an 18-year-old Ronaldo arrived from Sporting Lisbon.
The Portuguese teenager was a relatively unknown name at the time but he turned out to be a fantastic long-term replacement for Beckham on the wing.
Speaking to former United teammate Rio Ferdinand about iconic players to wear the number seven shirt, Beckham was full of praise for Ronaldo and his career.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Beckham said: “He’s had an unbelievable career. Every team that he’s played for he’s created a legacy for himself.
“So, I think he’s been incredible, and to have played for the amount of time that he’s played for.
“He’s had an unbelievable career, firstly with United, and then obviously going to Real Madrid, and his career with Portugal as well.
“It’s an incredible career to look back on for him.”
David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo are Man United legends
Despite both players leaving the club in dramatic fashion, Beckham and Ronaldo will forever be adored and idolised by the Old Trafford faithful.
They both deserve their place on the list of Manchester United legends after their glistening, trophy-filled spells at the club.
Beckham has set the record straight on his United exit after his fall-out with Ferguson, insisting that he had an “incredible” relationship with the legendary United manager.
In a similar fashion, Ronaldo has insisted he still loves United after leaving for the second time in 2022 following the bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
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