Roberto Carlos shared a pitch with some of the greatest footballers of all time. Whether they were on his team or he was playing against them, the Brazilian legend knew a top-tier talent when he saw one.
Thinking back to some of his greatest ever teammates, it's hard to believe exactly who Carlos picked as the best of them all. Having played for Brazil, Real Madrid and Inter Milan among other world-class teams, he didn't even hesitate when asked to name his finest colleague.
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Never mind Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazario or any of the other elite players he shared a dressing room with. Instead, Carlos picked an England and Manchester United legend, David Beckham.
Roberto Carlos Picks Beckham Over Zidane and Ronaldo
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Appearing on The Obi One Podcast, the retired defender was asked to name the best player he ever played with. Instead of naming Ballon d'Or winners Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho or Zidane, he instead waxed lyrical about Beckham.
The pair played together at Real Madrid from 2003 to 2007, and the Englishman clearly left a big impression on his ex-teammate. Carlos said:
"Beckham, of course Beckham.
[Zinedine] Zidane was top. But David Beckham was a close friend of mine and a role model. The best in training and the best during games. Running all the time and making incredible passes. He played with all his heart."
It may be a controversial opinion in some people's eyes that Carlos would hail Beckham the 'best' out of all his incredible teammates, but he added: "No matter what people say about Ronaldo, Zidane, Raul, Luis Figo, in the four years of the Galacticos, in my opinion, Beckham was the most consistent and the best.
"Beckham was for the team. Beckham would attack and defend. He would pass. He did everything the team needed. Things that the public didn't see, but we as a team on the pitch saw all these attributes."
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Roberto Carlos: 'Special' Beckham Was a Team Player
Real Madrid's David Beckham and Roberto Carlos look dejected.
It's clear that Carlos was a massive fan of the former Manchester United superstar, who made 394 appearances for the Red Devils. His selfless nature - as one of the greatest passers of all-time - stood out to the Brazil international, who continued:
"He was very special. Beckham didn't play for the fans. He played for Real Madrid. For his teammates, to win. That is what we value the most.
"That was the difference between him and other players. He thought about the team while others just played for themselves. There is a huge difference."
It's quite incredible just how much Carlos was signing the praises of one of England's greatest ever players. But he concluded that Beckham was 'very complete': "He is English, full concentration with or without the ball, great mentality and a team player. Having Beckham at Real Madrid with his quality, his footwork, his assists, his free kicks was just spectacular. For me, he was very complete."
Watch the full clip below (10:30 onwards):
Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 10-12-25.