Manchester United legend David Beckham has not ruled out the future playing career of a player who was described as “absolutely fantastic” by Sir Alex Ferguson.
David Beckham made a name for himself at Old Trafford after he broke into the Manchester United first-team squad under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The 50-year-old United legend came through the Premier League club’s youth academy as one of the famed ‘Class of ‘92’ stars who had successful playing careers.
Beckham, who retired in 2013, won six Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and two FA Cups during his prolific playing career at the Red Devils.
The former United superstar was a devastating winger in his prime and Beckham notched up 121 assists in 394 appearances for the Premier League club.
Beckham, who lifted United’s iconic treble under Ferguson in 1999, would leave Old Trafford in 2003 and complete a blockbuster transfer to La Liga side Real Madrid.
The legendary former United No 7 was snapped up by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez as part of the ‘Galacticos’ era at Los Blancos in the 2000s.
Beckham would add a La Liga trophy to his silverware cabinet in his glittering career before he left Madrid and signed for MLS outfit LA Galaxy in 2007.
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Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images
Photo by Ira L. Black – Corbis/Getty Images
Man Utd and England legend David Beckham speaks out on Lionel Messi and the Barcelona legend’s future at Inter Miami
David Beckham pulled off a stunning swoop for Barcelona legend Lionel Messi after the 37-year-old Argentine forward left Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 on a free.
Lionel Messi completed a sensational move to the States and signed for MLS outfit Inter Miami after he made his exit from Parc des Princes.
Beckham crossed paths with Messi near the end of his playing career at PSG and the England and Manchester United legend deeply admires the 2022 World Cup winner.
The former United player is the co-owner and president of Inter Miami, with Messi currently tied down to a contract with the American club until 2026.
Messi is widely tipped to lead Argentina to their World Cup title defence at the 2026 edition of the FIFA tournament, which will be held in North America.
Beckham admitted that it would have been “nice” if the Argentina captain could have “played another 10 years” and he is sure that he will extend his stay with Inter Miami.
“I think his heart is in Miami now,” he told Time magazine.
“Players these days, they look after themselves more. They’re playing longer. His No 1 passion is obviously his family. His other passion is football.
“As long as he’s happy, he will continue to play as long as he wants. It would be nice if he played another 10 years. I can’t see it. But you never know.”
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What did former Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson say about Barcelona icon Lionel Messi?
Sir Alex Ferguson has said in the past that he sees Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player of all time, but he has lavished praise on Lionel Messi’s seminal impact.
“Well, I had Ronaldo here as a player and I think he is the best player in the world,” he said in 2011, as per The Daily Mail.
“He can play with both feet, he has fantastic skill, strength and bravery, and he’s a greater header of the ball. But Messi is an absolutely fantastic player also.
“It depends on how you view your player. The fact that I had Ronaldo here [for] so long, I know him well.
“I saw how he dedicated himself in training sessions to becoming the best player in the world and so that would weigh heavily on my view of him as a player and as a person.
“It’s difficult to choose between the two, it’s the toss of a coin.”
Speaking on Messi at the time, Ferguson added: “But you look at the boy Messi and you know that he’s a serious player.
“He loves playing football. He’s as brave as a lion because he will always take the ball in any situation.
“They are different types of players, but there’s no doubt both provide a fantastic end product.”
Inter Miami skipper Messi is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time alongside the likes of United legend Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona and Pele.