Beckham sheds light on playing with Maldini: “The best defender I’ve ever seen” | OneFootball

David Beckham has spoken about playing alongside the legendary Paolo Maldini, who was captain during his time at AC Milan.

Beckham’s spent most of his career with Manchester United, before playing four seasons with Real Madrid. In 2007 he signed a five-year contract with Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy and while there he spent two loan spells in Italy with Milan in 2009 and 2010, something that upset his wife.

Beckham spoke during a CBS Sports Golazo special dedicated to the Champions League and he was asked by James Corden about Maldini’s influence on him.

And at Milan…

“When I arrived at Milan we had players like Pirlo in there, we had Nesta, Paolo Maldini…”

Was he the best captain you played with?

“He was unbelievable. He’s an unbelievable leader, unbelievable captain, the best defender I’ve ever seen, event at… I think he retired at 41… even then at 41 he was reading things that just no player even at 18 would do.

“But, not the best captain I’d say I’ve played under. I played under Roy Keane – Roy Keane for me was the biggest and the best captain I played with.”

Beckham’s loan spell in Milan went well and he quickly became a fan favourite, even coming back for a second spell that was unfortunately cut short by an Achilles injury.