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24th Sep 2015

David Beckham has his say on Alex Ferguson’s world class debate

Humble

Conan Doherty

Jesus, David Beckham just got even more likable.

The former Manchester United player was one of a good 10 left out of Alex Ferguson’s list of world class players that he managed at Old Trafford.

The Scotsman controversially omitted some huge names during the week when he said that Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo were the only world class footballers that were under his watch at United.

Among those left out, a certain right-footed gem of the Class of ’92.

But, whilst many of us have been up in arms at Fergie’s ignorance of Roy Keane and co, David Beckham took a much more humble approach by suggesting that, in fact, he wasn’t world class.

Asked by the BBC if he was insulted by Ferguson’s remarks, Beckham was typically classy.

“Not at all,” he said. “I played for the greatest manager of all time for the amount of time that I did. I was lucky to have played with the players that I did and the team and be successful with the club that I loved and still love.”

MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 16: Real Madrid?s Ronaldo (L) is congratulated by David Beckham after scoring a goal during a Primera Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Zaragoza at the Bernabeu on January 16, 2005 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

At United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and PSG, David Beckham kept company with some of the finest footballers to ever walk the planet. He knows a thing or two about world class.

And even though he never looked out of place with those greats, he remains humbled by their talent.

“I tend to agree with the manager [Ferguson]. There are certain players that you can call world class, thankfully I played with many of them.”

So you don’t think you were better than Ronaldo?

“No,” Beckham answered simply. “I was lucky enough to play against Cristiano and I was also lucky enough to play with Brazilian Ronaldo for four years.

“I’m proud as a Manchester United player that we were successful and I was proud as a Manchester United player that we had the best players come to our team.”

And we’re even more impressed that you don’t even consider yourself as one of them.

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David Beckham