Former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar David Beckham waxed lyrical about one of the best players he played alongside in his illustrious playing career.
David Beckham made a name for himself at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson and shot to superstardom during his spell at Old Trafford.
One of the famed ‘Class of ‘92’ members, the 49-year-old former United winger rose through the youth academy before breaking into the first team in the 1990s.
Beckham made 390 appearances for the Red Devils and he scored 85 times and registered 121 assists for the Premier League club.
During his time under legendary former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Beckham lifted six Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and two FA Cups.
The ex-United star’s spell at the club came to an end in 2003 after his relationship with Ferguson fractured at the time and Beckham was sold to Real Madrid.
Beckham’s high praise for Real Madrid legend
David Beckham was reunited with Rio Ferdinand during an appearance on his former Manchester United and England teammate’s YouTube channel.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand, Beckham was asked to name his ultimate five-a-side team and the United legend dropped the ultimate compliment on Zinedine Zidane.
Beckham crossed paths with Zinedine Zidane in the Champions League at United before he became a teammate of the France and Real Madrid legend.
The former England captain arrived at Madrid in 2003 as part of a £24.5m deal, with Beckham becoming part of Florentino Perez’s Galacticos era.
Beckham said that ex-Madrid teammate Zidane – another key Galactico era signing under Florentino Perez – was one of the “hardest trainers” he played alongside.
“Then I would say… ‘Zizou,’” he told Ferdinand.
“He’s one of the, not just one of the greatest players that I’ve ever played with, one of the hardest trainers, and also just cool.
“He’s just cool, you know, without trying. You play him a ball anywhere on the pitch, any height, any level, any speed, he’d bring it down like it was just one of those things that he does.
“People literally used to turn up at the Bernabeu to watch him just control a ball.
“Because it was like watching a ballerina, just the way he plays is so elegant. Everything about him, he’s elegant.
“And that’s when you know he’s so special, ‘Zizou,’ because he walks into a room and without even looking, without even seeing him come in, you know someone’s walked in.”
Beckham and Zidane on their mutual admiration
Zinedine Zidane and Beckham previously featured in an Adidas advert for Predator shoes and the two ex-Madrid stars shared their deep admiration for one another.
Speaking on Zidane, Beckham said (via Marca): “The talent, the left foot, the love of the game.
“The left leg again, the volley, you know which one; the touch, the suits, the creativity, the character, the world champion’s medal.”
Reacting to Beckham, Zidane responded: “Precision, the right leg, of course; the courage, the energy, any of his free-kicks, the pace of work, the hair, the class, his story.”
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