David Beckham, the co-owner of Inter Miami and a Manchester United icon, lauded Arsenal for their impressive Champions League campaign after their victory over Real Madrid. He expressed his delight in seeing an English team reach the competition`s semifinals. Arsenal`s dominant 5-1 aggregate triumph against Real Madrid marked their first semifinal appearance since 2009, making them the first English team to reach this stage since Manchester City`s Champions League-winning run two years prior. Despite his past affiliations with Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain (Arsenal`s next opponent), Beckham voiced his support for Arsenal, partly due to his son being a dedicated fan.
Speaking on the UEFA Champions League Today post-match show, Beckham stated, “It`s fantastic to see an English team in the semifinals.” He added, “If Arsenal advances past PSG to the final, it would be a significant achievement for the club, for manager Mikel Arteta, and for the team`s Champions League performances this year. My son is watching, so I hope they perform well, although they face PSG, so my allegiance for that match is clear. Nevertheless, we always want English teams to succeed in this prestigious competition.”
Beckham further commended Arsenal`s performance over the two legs against Real Madrid, noting the slightly uncomfortable experience of watching the games with his Arsenal-supporting son and a friend.
Regarding Real Madrid, Beckham commented, “Many anticipated a comeback, especially considering the talk in Madrid leading up to the game. However, Arsenal deserved their victory over the two legs. Their performance was complete – excellent individual and team displays, and superb management by Mikel Arteta. While a Madrid comeback was expected, it didn`t materialize. Arsenal controlled the game effectively, with outstanding defensive performances and exceptional contributions from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, particularly in the away leg.”
