Chelsea icon Frank Lampard once revealed his belief that a West Ham legend who made his father cry was the 'ultimate England player.' While the three-time Premier League winner isn't fondly thought of by Hammers supporters, the club remains an integral part of his footballing journey.
Not only did he start his career at Upton Park and develop from a young prodigy into one of the Premier League's best midfielders, but his father, Frank Lampard Senior, was a fan favourite at West Ham. As a result, junior grew up surrounded by the claret and blue and spoke highly of one player who once reduced his old man to tears.
Lampard Named the 'Ultimate England Player'
Speaking to The Express in 2013, Lampard revealed his admiration for one Bobby Moore, who he paid the highest of compliments to. Moore, who remains the only male England captain to lift a major trophy, was one of the first English superstars in the sport and was equally one of the best defenders to ever play the game.
And Lampard explained that Moore's impact, both on and off the pitch, was enough to break his usually stoic father.
"I grew up on tales of Bobby Moore from my dad and he’s the ultimate England player. So, if I could get into the bracket of 100 England caps, I would be very proud. When Bobby died, it’s the only time as a kid that I remember my dad crying. My dad’s not that kind of character really – he’s quite tough and cold at times, but he got emotional there.
"He grew up in awe of Bobby, roomed with him as a kid and he basically said what a gentleman he was, what a character and how much he looked up to him."
Despite his notoriety over his career, England’s 1966 World Cup-winning captain epitomised composure, leadership, and defensive brilliance. Revered for his tackling, anticipation, and sportsmanship, he remains one of, if not England’s most iconic footballers. However, as proven by Lampard's anecdote, his lasting legacy was off the pitch, with the midfielder even explaining what his dad told him about the way Moore interacted with his teammates.
"How he trained, had a beer with the lads the night before and sweated it out with the lads the next morning, how he was a great professional," the former Chelsea man stated.
"He bores me, without making it sound bad, by saying, ‘Well, Bobby Moore would have done this or that.'"