“He Used to Kick Me All Over” – Despite Being ‘Close Friend’, David Beckham Picks Ex-Teammate as the ‘Most Difficult Defender’

David Beckham hits the dead-ball like no other. A household name irrespective of the club, a free-kick and set-piece specialist, Beckham was always behind-the-ball. In his storied career across continents and styles, the Manchester United icon faced legends from the entire spectrum of soccer. In a recent interview, he reveals the toughest defender he ever faced.

Coincidentally, his pick for the toughest defender previously revealed that Beckham was his favorite English teammate. Interestingly, the Inter Miami owner spent four years with this person on the same team.

Who is the toughest defender that David Beckham faced?

David Beckham started his career in England at Manchester United. After a not-so-pleasant spell with Sir Alex Ferguson, the English star ended up leaving the club soon after winning the first treble for an English club. With a talent like his, Real Madrid was waiting for him. During his four-year tenure in Spain, injuries plagued the English star. Nevertheless, he still managed to get his hands on two trophies.

Becks then moved to America and started a new chapter of his soccer career. Years after his retirement, the Englishman has finally revealed the toughest defender he faced. During a conversation with SI, he said, “The most difficult defender I’ve played against is Roberto Carlos. He became one of my closest friends at Real Madrid. But I remember playing against him before I joined Real Madrid”.

“He used to kick me all over the pitch. But the first one to stand over me and pull me up and with a smile on his face was Roberto. So, Roberto Carlos”. While the two of them became really close friends at Real Madrid, there was a major coincidence between them.

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Some years ago, the Brazilian fullback coincidently called Beckham a ‘very close friend’ and also his favorite English teammate.

Roberto Carlos’ special bond with Beckham

Back in 2003, Beckham was only the third Englishman to play for Real Madrid. Despite his injury streak at the club, he still managed to establish a close friendship with the Brazilian. Taking free kicks for the club was the common factor between both of them. Years ago, Carlos once mentioned, “David Beckham is someone I really got on very well with. He’s a very close friend”.

He also revealed that Beckham was always with the Brazilians. Despite also sharing the pitch with other Englishmen like Steve McManaman, Jonathan Woodgate, and Michael Owen, he still picked the set-piece specialist over all of them. In current times, Carlos has an ambassadorial role with Air Asia while the English winger is on a mission to revolutionize soccer in America with Inter Miami.

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