David Beckham has suggested that there are two players, both past and present, that stand out in his mind as potential challengers for the accolade of the best footballer of all time.
The 49-year-old Manchester United legend called it time on his prolific playing career back in 2013 after a brief spell with Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain.
David Beckham rose through the ranks of the United youth academy and established himself as a mainstay in the Red Devils first team in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The former United and England player shot to superstardom during his prolific spell at Old Trafford under legendary former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Beckham was one of the famed ‘Class of ‘92’ stars who broke out at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson and he was a key part of United’s treble-winning side.
During his time at the Red Devils, the former Real Madrid and LA Galaxy star lifted six Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and two FA Cups.
Beckham’s relationship with United legend Ferguson fractured towards the tail end of his Old Trafford spell and the former England captain left the club in 2003.
Man Utd legend David Beckham dropped the ultimate compliment on Real Madrid icon Zinedine Zidane
Manchester United made the decision to sell Red Devils legend David Beckham to La Liga outfit Real Madrid in a blockbuster transfer worth £24.5m at the time.
Beckham was one of the many high-profile players that were brought to Madrid under club president Florentino Perez as part of the ‘Galacticos’ era in the 2000s
The legendary former United No 7 linked up with fellow Galacticos signing Zinedine Zidane, who Madrid had landed in a stunning transfer from Juventus in 2001.
Beckham has waxed lyrical about Zinedine Zidane in the past and he crossed paths with the Madrid legend on the pitch when he played under Sir Alex Ferguson.
UEFA’s official Champions League account on X, formerly known as Twitter, shared the incredible praise that Beckham had for former Madrid teammate Zidane.
According to the tweet, which was posted in 2018, Beckham said: “To train with Zinedine Zidane for three years was a dream.
“For me, he is the greatest player of all time.”
Former Man Utd star David Beckham would put Lionel Messi in the football GOAT conversation alongside the likes of Zinedine Zidane
David Beckham crossed paths with Lionel Messi in the tail end of his playing career and the United legend admitted the impact that the Argentine icon had on him.
The former England international is the co-owner and president of Inter Miami and he brought Lionel Messi to the MLS outfit in 2013 after his PSG exit.
Messi has been a marquee addition for Beckham’s MLS side and the 37-year-old Inter Miami superstar is regarded as one of the best players of all time.
Beckham, much like he did with Zinedine Zidane, insisted that Barcelona legend Messi could make a claim for the football ‘GOAT’ status after a remarkable career.
“Leo Messi is the best footballer in the world and all time,” he said at an event in London in February, as per Mundo Deportivo.
Messi is at the tail end of his legendary playing career and the 2022 World Cup winner has scored 40 times and picked up 20 assists in 47 matches for Inter Miami.
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