Both found fame wearing the red No.7 shirt at Manchester United. Both followed the trail to Real Madrid. And both have transcended their sport to become worldwide fashion icons and footballing divas.
But who is the greatest? England’s David Beckham or Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo?
Based on pure talent on the football pitch it is no contest.
Whether or not Ronaldo is currently the best player in the world can be challenged by Lionel Messi. But he certainly has been the No.1.and Cristiano has it all. He can shoot, dribble, score with both feet and is outstanding in the air.
While there is undoubtedly more to come from Ronaldo, on what we’ve seen to date, ask yourself which player at their peak would you prefer in your team and it is not such a one-sided argument.
Becks is arguably the best crosser of the ball we have ever seen. His commitment and passion is never in doubt. He has scored some of the best and most important free-kicks at pivotal moments. And his effectiveness down the right wing was a potent weapon that could win any match in an instant.
The truth is they are two different players with very different qualities. But what they do have in common is the way they have fashioned their images to turn themselves into style icons with massive earning potential and a global following outside football.
It is a marketing man’s dream to see Becks and Ronaldo go head to head in Saturday’s World Football Challenge as the ex-England captain’s Los Angeles Galaxy side play host to his former club Real Madrid.
It is the first time Beckham has come up against Real since making the move from Spain to the United States in 2007.
It is only a friendly. But it is fascinating to see what the American public make of the showdown between the world’s most famous soccer divas.
Beckham’s iconic goal against Greece moment no English fan will ever forget
