'I played with David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo - one was a much better team-mate'
'I played with David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo - one was a much better team-mate'
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Gary Neville has explained why David Beckham was a better Manchester United team-mate than Cristiano Ronaldo. An Old Trafford legend, Neville enjoyed a 19-year stint with the Red Devils between 1992 and 2011, lifting eight Premier League titles, nine domestic cups, and a pair of Champions Leagues. The no-nonsense right-back was known for his level-headedness and leadership and became a club captain under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2005 after Roy Keane parted ways with the club.
And thanks to his incredible loyalty and service, Neville was able to play alongside some of the world's best players over the years - from England legends like Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, and Rio Ferdinand, to European talents such as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Eric Cantona.
One player who he instantly gelled with, though, was Beckham, striking up a stunning partnership with the midfielder both on and off the pitch, which allowed him to communicate almost telepathically in-game. But when Beckham left United to chase glory with Real Madrid in 2003, he was left to craft a relationship with Ronaldo.
Neville and Ronaldo failed to strike up a relationship close to the one that the captain previously enjoyed with Beckham, despite CR7 launching himself to superstar levels with the club. Neville has previously explained that he considered Beckham to be a better team-mate in terms of communication and understanding, telling Sky Sports: "Well I never saw Ronaldo, Beckham was better to play with because he actually played with you.
