Beckham backs Rodriguez to be Real hit

Author Photo
David Beckham

The former England captain has watched on as an interested spectator over the close-season as the Spanish giants - with whom he spent four years as a player from 2003 to 2007 - have looked to improve last season's UEFA Champions League-winning squad.

Rodriguez's arrival is the most high-profile at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of the new campaign, with Real paying a reported €80million to bring in the playmaker from Monaco following a superb World Cup.

The Colombian arrives with his reputation at an all-time high, having won the golden boot in Brazil with six goals - including a stunning volley against Uruguay - as he helped his country to the quarter-finals.

And Beckham believes that by signing the 23-year-old his former club have secured one of the game's standout talents.

"He is a great player, obviously he had a great World Cup," said Beckham, who visited Real's training camp on Saturday as they take part in the International Champions Cup in the United States.

"He is a young player that is obviously very talented and who scored, for me, the best goal in the World Cup.

"As a Real Madrid and Manchester United fan, I am happy to see him at Real Madrid."

Author(s)
Peter Marshall Photo

Peter Marshall has worked in sports media for more than two decades, covering everything from boxing, F1 and tennis to the World Cup and Olympics.