Roberto Carlos has been naming the greatest players he shared a football pitch with throughout his professional career, naming a former Manchester United player as the best for multiple reasons.
The former Brazil international is remembered as one of the best left-backs in the history of football.
Roberto Carlos was renowned for his pace, overlapping runs, and a thunderous left-footed shot that proved lethal for free-kicks.
He spent the peak of his career at Real Madrid, over the course of 11 years, when he was considered one of the club’s Galacticos.
Carlos took on Manchester United four times throughout his career and they all came during the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The Red Devils only managed to win one of those games, losing two and drawing one.
Carlos recorded his biggest win over United in 2003 when Real Madrid won 3-1 in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg.
The Spanish giants advanced 6-5 on aggregate after Ronaldo netted a hat-trick in the second leg.
Lionel Messi and Sir David Beckham with the MLS Cup
Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images
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Roberto Carlos picks Sir David Beckham over Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane
Carlos was recently asked to reflect on his greatest ever teammates, having played for Brazil, Madrid and Inter Milan.
Most would assume that Carlos would pick Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, or Zinedine Zidane as his best teammate – but they would be wrong.
Carlos instead picked a player who left United for Madrid in 2003. His choice was no other than Sir David Beckham.
Appearing as a special guest on The Obi One Podcast, Carlos explained how Beckham was the best teammate after spending four years with the former England captain.
“Beckham, of course Beckham,” Carlos said.
“[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.”
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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Beckham is currently enjoying a major week as co-owner of Inter Miami following their MLS Cup triumph.
What did Roberto Carlos value most about Sir David Beckham?
It may come as an unpopular opinion to many, but Beckham has always been popular among his teammates.
Carlos believes Beckham was a ‘special’ player who played for his teammates.
“He was very special,” Carlos continued.
“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.”
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