Roberto Carlos has revealed that the best player he shared the pitch with during his time at Real Madrid was David Beckham. The Brazil legend also confessed that supporters had never really witnessed how exceptional the England star was as a team-mate. The 50-year-old, recently knighted, completed a sensational move to the Spanish capital in 2003, completing a sensational move to the Spanish capital and becoming Galactico’s latest acquisition.
Although he was not as successful with the Madrid club as he was in Manchester, he still managed to win La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup in 2007 before moving to Los Angeles Galaxy. Nevertheless, many may be surprised to learn that Carlos, the legendary full-back who represented Real Madrid from 1996 to 2007, chose Beckham as the best player he partnered with in Spain, citing qualities rarely seen in the general public.
Asked about his greatest teammate on the Obi Wan Podcast, Carlos clarified: “Beckham, of course Beckham.” “(Zinedine) Zidane was at the top, but David Beckham was my close friend and role model.
“He was great in training and in matches. He was always running and making incredible passes. He played with all his heart. Whatever you say about Ronaldo, Zidane, Raul and Luis Figo in his four years with the Galacticos, Beckham was the most consistent and the best in my opinion.”
“Beckham was for the team. Beckham attacked, he defended, he passed. 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.”
Carlos went on to explain that Beckham’s dedication to supporting his teammates has earned him great respect from the team and is exactly why the Brazilian rates him so highly.
“He was a very special person. Beckham didn’t play for the fans, he played for Real Madrid. To win for his teammates. That’s what we value most,” explained Carlos.
“That was the difference between him and other players. He thought about the team while others played for themselves. There’s a big difference there. He’s English, he’s completely focused with and without the ball, he’s got a great mentality and he’s a team player.”
“Bringing Beckham to Real Madrid with his quality, footwork, assists and free-kicks was a real eye-opener. For me, he was a very complete player.”
Carlos is currently an ambassador for Real Madrid and continues to instill the same principles that Beckham exemplified. “Right now I am an ambassador for the club.
“I travel all over the world to represent it. I work more now than when I was playing football. Madrid is the first club in the world whose name is represented by a former player.”
“We also teach the academy players and the new first-team players to understand what Real Madrid is all about. I miss training and playing at the highest level. I miss it very much.”
