David Beckham presented the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony and told the audience about how he “owes Sir Bobby Charlton everything” for his illustrious football career.
On Monday night, Beckham had the honour of presenting the prestigious Ballon d’Or award to Lionel Messi.
Beckham also took a moment to hail Sir Bobby Charlton, who died aged 86.
“I probably don’t have to tell this room how special Sir Bobby was to the world of football,” Beckham said. “He was respected on the field for what he won but was respected even more off the field for what he stood for.
“He will be missed. When we looked up into the stands he would always be there cheering us on.
“He started it off for me. If it was not for Sir Bobby turning around to Manchester United and saying ‘watch this young man’ I probably would not have played for Manchester United.
“I owe him everything.”
David Beckham on Bobby Charlton ❤️#ballondor pic.twitter.com/wOdbCGIjIe
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023
Video courtesy of @ballondor
Manchester United fans paid their respects to Charlton and his family last week ahead of games against FC Copenhagen and Man City. A man that was a hero to both young and old, which has left the fanbase in a state of mourning ever since his passing on October 21.
Nobody embodied the values of United better than Charlton. The players of today could learn a thing or two about that, and Beckham refers to how he was always present around the club.
8 Ballon d’Or awards for Messi
Inter Miami star Messi collected his eight Ballon d’Or award in Paris last night. The 34-year-old succeeded Karim Benzema as the winner for 2023.
The Argentine led his country to World Cup success in Qatar at the end of 2022, which saw him see off competition from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
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